EMINGTON - Ruby Vant sat down on her front porch steps to pet her cat, but Midnight moved away. A visitor offered assistance as Vant, 99, struggled to stand up.

But she waved off the offer, got up and smiled.

The encounter was pure Ruby, an independent-minded woman thought to be the oldest village trustee in Illinois.

No state agency tracks such records, but Larry Frang, assistant director of the Illinois Municipal League, said he hadn't heard of anyone older.

"How long I serve (on the village board) will depend on how I feel," says Vant, who was reelected to the Emington Village Board on April 17 with six votes.

The retired teacher leads an active life, including driving to nearby Pontiac to shop and driving to monthly village board meetings. On the way, she picks up Trustee Darlene Lithgow, 71.

People who know Vant, including her granddaughter, Laurie Baker of Fairbury, said Vant doesn't drive like a little old lady. In fact, Vant is proud that she drives 60 mph on the highway.

Her actions belie her age in other ways as well.

Sometimes she burns the midnight oil, watching her favorite basketball teams, the Chicago Bulls and Los Angeles Lakers, on television. She plays the organ, knits and crochets. She also plays bridge and has traveled to all 50 states.

She began a new chapter in her life four years ago when she was first elected to the village board. She's paid $15 per meeting, but she didn't campaign for election.

"I thought if they wanted me I'd help. If not, that would be OK, too," she said.

"Spry and active" is how Debi Delaney, the board's clerk and treasurer, describes Vant. Delaney and her husband, Dan, village board president, live across the street from Vant.

Vant, who once lived in nearby Saunemin, has lived in Emington since 1930. It's "a nice little town" in need of more people and business. "We have no bank or stores," she said, recalling the village once had grocery stores, hotel, lumber yard and bank.

She makes the most of modern-day conveniences, with an answering machine, microwave and satellite dish, and it often on the go. "I never get more than five hours sleep a night," she said.

Sometimes televised basketball gets in the way of an early night. She also enjoys watching "Jeopardy" and "Wheel of Fortune."

Her husband, Clyde Vant, died in 1981. A son, Richard Vant, lives north of Emington and granddaughter Laurie Baker lives in Fairbury. Her grandma is an inspiration and "an awesome lady," Baker said.

State Sen. Dan Rutherford, R-Chenoa, agrees, and sends birthday cards to the senior politician.

"I hope I have half the energy she has when I'm even close to 99," Rutherford said.