Career
He has been a Decatur City Councilman, Macon County Republican Chairman, and Mayor Pro Tem 1997-1998. He has sponsored curfew laws and made efforts to cut government waste, reduce taxes and institute juvenile justice reform. In 2011, Mitchell joined with State Representative Adam Brown of the 101st district in proposing statehood for Cook County.
An August 30, 2003 article in the Bloomington-Normal newspaper The Pantagraph stated that Mitchell was arrested for Driving under the influence near Heyworth, Illinois, and was also charged with improper traffic lane usage.
The McLean County Sheriff"s report indicated that his breath-alcohol level was 0.186 percent, which is more than twice Illinois legal Baccalaureate limit of 0.08. Mitchell pled guilty to both charges and was sentenced to 24 months of court supervision.
