The City of Galesburg celebrated Arbor Day on Friday by planting a Swamp White Oak at King Elementary School and featured participation from Heather Barker’s fourth-grade class The annual Arbor Day celebration highlights Galesburg’s continued commitment to urban forestry and environmental stewardship The City has been recognized as a Tree City USA for 25 consecutive years by the Arbor Day Foundation and this year received the Tree City Growth Award for the 7th time — the third year in a row The initiative aimed to plant 70 trees annually in city parks and terraces over five years The group of volunteers has planted over 480 trees in only three years and continues to plant trees throughout the city “This year’s Arbor Day planting at King School was a wonderful reflection of our community’s dedication to sustainability and environmental education,” said Don Miles Director of Parks & Recreation for the City of Galesburg “Involving students helps foster a lifelong appreciation for trees and their vital role in our ecosystem.” observed annually on the last Friday in April in Illinois began in 1872 in Nebraska with the planting of over one million trees The City of Galesburg is proud to continue this tradition and encourages all residents to join in celebrating the value trees bring to our environment and community By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: Prairie Communications, 55 Public Square, Monmouth, IL, 61462, https://977wmoi.com/. 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Emails are serviced by Constant Contact CASA is the Court Appointed Special Advocate program Their mission is to speak up for and support the best interests of abused and neglected children in the court system this new addition will bring many changes in your life At the recent United Board of Education meeting the newly elected board members were officially seated reports Superintendent Tom Hawkins: “We had our special More than $14,000 was awarded to 31 teachers through the Teacher Mini Grants with the Galesburg Community Foundation explains Director of Grants and Programs Jillian Isaacson: “This year we were Working alongside the hospitality and retail industries State Senator Mike Halpin outlined his measure at a press conference Thursday to create a more targeted approach to combatting human trafficking would like to announce the arrest of a Knox County local registered offender Prairie Communications, LLC which is a part of Robbin’s Treat Resources, LLC. © 2022. All Rights Reserved. Developed by Clear Profits Digital Marketing When your last name is already on the school gymnasium seems ready to heed the challenges that will come with his new job as head coach of the Galesburg boys basketball team Silver Streaks athletic director Nick Young made that news official on April 30 Taylor Thiel is the grandson of longtime coach John Thiel a 1998 graduate of Galesburg and a member of the Silver Streaks team that advanced to the Class AA state final who stepped down after four years on the job “I know what it means to wear a Silver Streak uniform and I am committed to building a strong relationship with our student-athletes I'm looking forward to providing a positive experience for all as we embark on this new journey together,” Thiel said in a statement Here are a few more things to know about Taylor Thiel:  protesters gathered to fight for their rights Pro-democracy protesters rallied in Galesburg on Saturday That was the sixth consecutive weekend protestors gathered in Galesburg as a display of public resistance against the Trump regime – and this weekend they’ll gather for a seventh “We want to protest DOGE and all the massive cuts happening we’re protesting the deportations that are not legal hands off our social security,” said rally organizer Jeanne Clark As the people of Galesburg came together to protest Trump’s administration the Hands Off message was chanted loud and clear “He’s living like a dictator and I don’t want to see my country fall into that,” said protestor Lori Landon Organizers of the march said that this was a group of like-minded people who were fed up with the government and were organizing and mobilizing to fight for their rights “As a Lutheran pastor I am called to speak up for the poor and the oppressed Posters at the rally included messages such as Defend the Constitution Protestors said they felt like they were having to fight for basic rights and for things they did not have to previously worry about “I think we need to keep speaking out and saying that we’re not okay with this because it’s wrong and it’s not humane,” said Galesburg resident Amy Fort Protestors will gather again in Galesburg from 2 p.m explains Director of Grants and Programs Jillian Isaacson: “This year we were able to award to all four districts that our Community Funds serve In Knox County that is Knoxville and Williamsfield and then Warren County is United and Monmouth-Roseville there was a total of 16 teachers that received a grant for various purposes we do those as co-grants between the Monmouth Community Fund and the Roseville Community Fund United is also a co-granted Teacher Mini Grant cycle between the Alexis Community Fund and the Becky Carlson Teacher Mini Grant Fund between all five of those unique funds at the Galesburg Community Foundation we are able to give Teacher Mini Grants to the two districts in Warren County.” Teacher Mini Grants are awarded each spring through the Galesburg Community Foundation with funds designated to be utilized during the next school year Share on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedInGALESBURG (KWQC) - A new agricultural railroad shipping facility is coming to Galesburg thanks to a federal grant The facility will take up 100 acres and will include a large loading terminal for grain and new train tracks but create jobs and set the city up for future development Jeff Grady is a farmer in Knox County Illinois the closest place Grady and other farmers have to haul their goods to is more than 50 miles away But the new facility in Galesburg will cut his trip to 10 miles “Aside from cutting down on transportation it will cut down on wear and tear in our equipment,” Grady said Grady said the new facility will encourage competition He said over half of soybeans grown in Illinois are exported “Vast majority of that goes down the Mississippi River from this region,” Grady said it’ll head due West for export to Asian countries.” Farmers like Grady wont be the only people benefiting from the project County leaders say it will directly create 10 to 20 jobs and set Galesburg’s Business Park up for future development “By having the rail infrastructure installed in the park it’s going to be much easier to land subsequent tenants.” Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development President Ken Springer said The project will cost more than $50 million dollars about half of which is being covered by the federal grant The rest is being paid for by the DeLong Company- who will be building and operating the facility “We’re very confident this is going to be a great project that’s going to be completed successfully.” Springer said Construction is expected to start on the project within the next two years I was prepared to send off a lengthy opinion piece on supporting the idea that the upcoming Galesburg mayoral election was going to be a win for Pritchard That was based on that election being a three-person race My original analysis did not support a specific candidate but to suggest what the outcome might have been My view has changed on that as well as I feel Schwartzman to be the better candidate I cannot vote in the city election as I do not live in the city limits More: Two Galesburg mayoral candidates are strikingly different | Opinion My research data appears to remain viable and makes guessing who will win easier My analysis revolves around a somewhat convoluted excel spreadsheet of numbers I will start with the simple prediction that the race will again probably be decided by meager voting numbers Very few of the Galesburg population vote in the April city elections When Anthony Law took a brief run to become a mayoral candidate he clearly stated that not enough locals vote in the city government election Only 21% of registered voters did so in 2021 It is rather sad to see how few residents take this important right seriously you have a progressive running against a conservative This is what is apparent: Galesburg votes for Democrats in national elections Recall that the presidential numbers are influenced by other voters going for write-ins or for the brain worm guy The percentage that voted for Pritchard was within 2.3 points of how Galesburg voters broke for Trump in 2020 it is apparent that Trump voters overwhelmingly voted for Pritchard I would be hard pressed to see Trump voters voting for Schwartzman unless they have been personally impacted by some of the DOGE calamities I know a lot depends on who is most motivated to vote Part of my analysis used was the percentage breaks from 2021 mayoral election Some will say then how did Pritchard win in 2013 and 2017 when Galesburg votes heavily for Democratic candidates Pritchard handily beat Sal Garza in 2013 but when Garza ran and won in 2009 there were a total of 9 mayoral candidates Garza never had a strong mandate by garnering only about 34% of the 2009 vote the mayoral election got nasty and there was too much focus on just one item: a community center There was a lot of mean-spirited spin which clouded political sentiment There are other factors to consider besides Galesburg’s voting records as well One of the more compelling factors that can give Pritchard a boost is the current city council itself five of the seven council members firmly endorsed Pritchard it seems apparent that at least three have done so again That support may assist in helping Pritchard to glean some higher support numbers The Harris vote lost some 2.7 percentage points when compared to Biden’s 2020 Galesburg voter results I feel that the overriding influence is now a much stronger correlation between national election’s results which influences local elections In extrapolating voter intent from the 2024 presidential results Pritchard will undoubtedly get at least 44% of the vote April 1 and probably higher I do feel that more conservative voters will turn out in the 2025 Consolidated Election than in 2021 Pritchard’s campaign seems lackluster and isolated to a cadre of old school thought processes His approach is more combative and exclusive Pritchard’s “Back to Basics” billboard yard signs is strictly rearview mirror thinking We all know some of the foibles that has dogged local politics on both sides but at least Schwartzman puts himself out there to all without reluctance well-traveled former hotel consultant and training specialist He was also a long-time original member of the Register-Mail Community Roundtable The weekend brings a mini Scrabble tournament Saint Patrick’s events and more to the Galesburg area Pi(e) Day Party for TeensWhat: Celebrate Pi Day with a variety of pi-themed (and pie-themed) activities Open to teens ages 12-18 or in grades 7-12 What: The celebration will include giveaways What: Try out your skills in this no-pressure mini-tournament of three games of Scrabble DaVinci Series: Notebooks and CalligraphyWhat: As part of the Da Vinci Series Davis will lead participants through the process of crafting a notebook plus calligraphy techniques with which to fill it Suitable for beginners and those seeking to build skills Cost: $25; free for seniors age 62 and older The Seminary Street Lucky Leprechaun Pot of Gold PursuitWhat: Shop for the perfect additions to your Saint Patrick’s Day celebrations or just stop in each store to register to win a Seminary Street gift basket filled with gifts and gift certificates from Downtown Seminary Street's Historic Shopping District Where: Participating businesses on Seminary Street hamburgers and other KC menu items for sale The snack table will be full; bring donation money There will be a prize for best decade-themed outfit Cost: $15 per player; max of 10 players per table What: See CATAPULT Dance live with the first performance of their new tour What: Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day weekend and the re-opening of RAA’s food truck The two newest Irish beers will also be dropping that day for the festivities: Irish Stout and Irish Red Ale At your fingertips: Accessing local journalism is even easier with the Galesburg Register-Mail app What: This year is extra special as the band Neon Nova is celebrating its one year anniversary They will light up the stage with classic rock ‘n’ roll Wear your green to celebrate Saint Patrick’s weekend Toga TerrorWhat: Wear a toga and see A Site Beyond and The Common Shamans perform What: Join Noelle for activities and reading based on Richard Scarry's "Best Counting Book Ever." Geared for ages 2-8 a double Certified Sound Healing Facilitator and Vibrational Therapist Dress comfy for a meditative hour filled with healing sounds and vibrations produced by a set of Crystal Singing Bowls What: The celebrations will start at the library with a Saint Patrick's Themed Story Time with Knox County Clerk Scott Erickson Enjoy the story and activities at the library before the parade What: If you’re looking to get that morning energy out before story time and the parade bring the kids to play time sponsored by The Knoxville Community Fund The play area will be available until capacity is reached Luck of the Vine Saint Paddy’s Day PartyWhat: Sip on exclusive Irish-inspired wine cocktails Join the Shamrock Hunt to search for hidden treasures across the winery and win wine-themed prizes Wear something green and enjoy 10% off wine purchases during the event Guests younger than 21 are allowed when accompanied with an of-age adult What: This is a small sized class with an emphasis on creating a fun atmosphere while learning tennis basics Explore and learn the fundamentals of athletic movement through a variety of activities designed to develop motor skills and grow an understanding of tennis in an age-appropriate method Ages 6-8 will have class from noon to 1 p.m.; ages 9-14 will be in class from 1-2 p.m What: This special family swim will feature a partial wibit available by all level swimmers Swimmers age 8 and younger must have an adult within arm’s reach at all times Swimmers age 12 and older must have an adult in the building at all times What: Share your love of coloring with adult coloring for relaxation coloring pages and colored pencils provided Pat’s CelebrationWhat: Celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day with authentic Irish music James Herr Acoustic and Peoria Music Live will perform What: Bring your favorite blaster and protective eye wear and join in on some NERF games and activities What:  Experience the thrill of opening a blind box and discovering what awaits you inside There will be 16 different varieties of Plush Blind Boxes available and 12 different varieties of Figure Blind Boxes available There will also be free gifts with purchase spontaneous door prizes and photos taken of you and your new collectible and Betrayal in the Search for the Source of the Nile by Candice Millard Copies of the book will be available at the check-out desk The Food for Thought group discusses books about food Kathi Edwards is a freelance correspondent The weekend brings Animaniacs and the G-ALES-Burg Beer Fest holiday events and more to the Galesburg area Easter Egg HuntWhat: Bring the family to get pictures with the Easter Bunny and participate in family-friendly activities such as bean bag toss Then enjoy a drink from Beehive Health & Wellness What: Enjoy a family-friendly indoor Easter Egg Hunt for ages 1-5 Each child will receive a gift bag in exchange for eggs at the end of the hunt punch cards and party discounts are hidden in eggs London Mills Fire & Ambulance BreakfastWhat: London Mills Fire and Ambulance will be serving pancakes All proceeds will go toward the purchase of a Lucas Device What: Kids age 12 and younger eat free with an adult’s paid breakfast Eat with the Easter Bunny and enjoy some coloring pages Egg ExtravaganzaWhat: Try the Candy Egg Walk engineer a peep’s nest and take a picture in the springtime photo booth Cost: $8.50; $5 for members; includes all day admission take a trillium hike and discover your garden's best friend: native plants shop at the farm store and pick an egg at checkout to reveal a discount take photos and enjoy springtime in the country What: Photos by Twistid Heart Photography + Framing Inspiration Photography All proceeds benefit the Abingdon Freedom Fest What: Learn about the babies coming this spring and take a nature walk around the Nature Center gardens and woods to see what is growing There will be make and take sunflower seed plantings and you can plant seeds around the Nature Center EggstravaganzaWhat: Bring a basket for the Easter egg hunt which will be grouped by ages: baby to teens What: This event is for caregivers and children aged 0-5 Every child will get to take home a sensory goodie bag 2 wineries and a Meadery will be featured and provide unlimited samples in your take-home taster glass Proceeds benefit The Vascular Anomalies Alliance Tickets include a food voucher for one menu item from the RAA Food Street Car includes food voucher; $50 for early entry at noon Take pictures with the Easter Bunny and pick out a book What: TPND and Pharaoh the Kid will perform AnimaniacsWhat: Join the voices of Animaniacs the iconic animated Warner Bros series (produced by Steven Spielberg) as they perform songs from the cartoon series backed by the original projected animation featuring the show's Emmy award winning composer Randy Rogel and original voice actor of Yakko/Pinky Joining to bring this Warner Brothers sound to life is the Knox-Galesburg Symphony Animaniacs is a multi-generational animated favorite with universally recognized hit songs This is a fundraiser for the East Galesburg Fire Department Cost: $15 per person; 10 people per team maximum What: Search for eggs by age group and be there for a special appearance from the Easter Bunny What: Enjoy a family-friendly afternoon for children ages 2-11 with egg hunts divided up by age group Children are expected to hunt for eggs on their own Only those in the 3 and younger category can have parental assistance including Lakeside Water Park family memberships and the Easter Bunny will be on site for photographs The hunt will be on the lawn outside Lakeside Recreation Facility starting at 1 p.m Galesburg Parks & Recreation's Mobile Playground Truck will be set up with games Ample parking is available across the street at the old Shopko building (888 S Lakeside parking is limited to handicapped parking Harlem WizardsWhat: Enjoy a night of tricks and alley-oops from the World-Famous Harlem Wizards What: Help the Knox County Jail build their collection of books but paperbacks for adults and young adults are appreciated What: Knox Rocks features Knox bands Buttered Noodles Presented by the Knox College Music Department earn prizes for golden eggs and visit the petting zoo What: Come hear the Knox Cherry Street Combo There is a full bar and you can order food from any local restaurants (some within walking distance) and have "Supper at the Center." (No outside drinks allowed.) Voters throughout Illinois will soon have the opportunity to make change as a number of local government seats are up for election Residents will also decide the outcome of referendum questions that may be facing your county Here’s what to know as a voter in Illinois The Consolidated Election is held on the first Tuesday of April in odd-numbered years More: Rare case: Both Republicans, Democrats in favor of eliminating this elected position There is a mayoral race in Galesburg pitting incumbent mayor Peter Schwartzman against former mayor John Pritchard Bennewitz and Township Assessor Laura E Williams are running unopposed There are races for alderpersons, township positions and more. See the Sample Ballot for all races Residents can see if they are registered to vote in the April 1 election The Illinois election website also can show residents where their polling place is located Tom Ackerman covers breaking news and trending news along with general news for the Springfield State Journal-Register He can be reached at tackerman@gannett.com Even-numbered wards are on the ballot this year for the Galesburg city council and every race in the April 1 consolidated election is contested TSPR asked the candidates why they’re running what the most pressing issues are in their wards and if Galesburg is better or worse off than it was five years ago Incumbent Wayne Dennis is seeking a fifth term on the council Campaign website or Facebook page: wdennis@gmail.com Government experience:  16 years on the city council Community involvement: Alderman for 16 years; president of Junior Hard Ball League YMCA for three years; assistant vice president of Junior Chamber of Commerce three times; business owner of Little King restaurant; Teen-a-go-go for kids for five years; owner of American family Insurance agency for 32 years (25 years hall of fame; owner of WD Sports Bar Occupation:  American Family Insurance Campaign website or Facebook page: http://votewendel.com/ Government experience: Appointed in 2019-2021 as a representative to the Galesburg District 205 Board of Education during the COVID pandemic and 205’s capital improvement phase Occupation: I am a retired college instructor of sociology I was employed at Carl Sandburg College for almost 40 years I was also employed as an adjunct instructor of sociology at Knox College and Monmouth College for 10 years Dennis: Been on the council for 16 years Hunigan: A group of concerned (and angry) neighbors knocked on my door and asked me to run for city council because they were concerned about the worsening condition of our neighborhood Dennis: Getting the entrance to the city on east side upgraded it makes a good impression for first-timers coming into our city Taking down homes that have become unlivable Hunigan: Problem: My neighbors felt our neighborhood — the place where my wife and I raised our four children — was in decline and needed renewal Their concerns were twofold: 1) the steady increase of dilapidated housing in Ward 2 and (2) the sudden uptick in police presence to patrol “problem areas” on or near Mulberry Street Solution: It is time to fix-up or tear down meaning there are homes which have been appraised for a million dollars as well as houses that are literally falling apart I would like the city to do an in-depth survey of the housing stock in Ward 2 The long-vacated Weston School property at 850 Mulberry St is a good example of what needs to be done The owner needs to be contacted and asked what he/she plans to do with the building and property Dennis: I’ve done the job for 16 years and I have a lot of people in all wards tell me to run again I help everyone in all wards when they call me I plan to provide strong constituent services I want residents to know me on a first-name basis I will not hide from the constituents in my ward Every citizen will have access to my cell phone number and email address plus they can schedule an appointment to see me at my house or their house — whichever is more convenient I want Ward 2 voters to know that I will be their advocate working toward positive change even in the face of adversity I am also a strong supporter of Mayor Peter Schwartzman It will be an honor and privilege to serve with him for the next four years Dennis: Getting better but can get better We have a great city manager doing a great job so far Galesburg appears to be moving in the right direction Good to see that the old Maytag building is getting a new lease on life I am excited about the $25 million federal grant that will be used to develop a new agricultural export terminal We welcome the newly constructed mall which houses Chipotle Mexican Grill and the enlarged Goodwill Industries store 12 high powered charging stations for cars are now under construction near the exit on I-74 Poverty rate appears to be about 20% in Galesburg The number of students enrolled in Blessings in a Backpack food program has also increased in the past five years The loss of manufacturing from twenty years ago (sometimes called “deindustrialization”) still haunts the city of Galesburg Our community has yet to fully recover from the departure of Maytag Outboard Marine and the closure of the Galesburg Mental Health Center It is good to see that new jobs are coming into the community but the underlying problems of Galesburg continue to persist I am running for the city council because I am optimistic about the future I think we are on the verge of turning lemons into lemonade and I thank Galesburg for allowing us to raise four beautiful children on Mulberry Street — all of whom have graduated from college Incumbent Dwight White is seeking a second term who previously served as the Ward Four representative for three terms Campaign website or Facebook page: N/A Government experience: 4th ward council member Community Involvement: I'm a member of Full Gospel church former coach and board official or both JFL league and Babe Ruth league Worked with the South Side Task force as a member of the Neighborhood Pride branch I work to chain crew for Galesburg high school football games along with being the shot clock operator for both Carl Sandburg and Knox college for 25 plus years I'm currently working with a group to bring recognition to 12 men from Galesburg that were members of the Massachusetts 54th regiment of the Civil War I attended Leadership Greater Galesburg class 11 Government experience: Served three terms on Galesburg city council Community involvement: Served as liaison between the City Council and the Library at the time the "New Library" project was the primary project of the Board I continue to work with the Library Board as needed and recently served on the landscape committee after the building was completed Also help with the Annual South Street Block Party including three years research internship in a genetics lab including three-year research assistantship studying synthesis of milk proteins in tissue cultures I have also traveled extensively to Europe which exposed me to many different cultures opened my mind to different ways of thinking and fostered a tolerance for different points of view I believe a council member needs to be flexible and thoughtful it is my responsibility to do my part in service to help my block Andersen: I genuinely care about "community" and I believe my life experiences will inform decisions I am faced with White:  This is a very complicated question There are varying issues facing the 4th ward To make known to the city leadership what a lifelong resident sees and believes are the shortcomings of the attention to the needs of the community of the 4th ward Andersen: In recent years the demolition of a significant number of deteriorated housing (a good thing) has resulted in a number of vacant lots needing to be improved with new affordable housing or recreational use like a basketball court or half court The other need that exists in ward 4 is a need for a small maybe similar to Hi-Lo on South Seminary Street but located within walking distance or easy access to residents who live in the western/southwestern part of Ward 4 White: That's a question for the constituents of the 4th ward “Fighting for the 4th Ward.” That's what I am about: fighting for the 4th ward which I believe has been woefully neglected I will do my best to address the issues that I see and that my constituents bring to my attention so I am in the belief that it is better off and attention to our youth and senior citizens We must press forward to the betterment of every and all members of the city of Galesburg but what can I do for the 4th ward and my city” Andersen: I think during the last five years Ward 4 and adjacent areas certainly "saw" significant street improvements addressed a number of water and sewer issues and completed a number of needed demolitions The city at large has benefited from the completion of the library and the expansion of both space and services of the renewed Art Center as well as the services The Vault provides for local events Of course there are still many areas that would benefit from more improvements — something I hope to support if elected to the city council Three newcomers are vying for the Ward Six seat While incumbents were listed first in Wards Two and Four candidates for Ward Six are listed in alphabetical order Campaign website or Facebook page: None at this time Government experience: I was elected to the CUSD #205 School Board in April 2015 and again in April 2019 Community involvement: I have been a member of the Turning Point Child Advocacy Center’s (formerly Knox County Child Advocacy Center) Governing Board since April 2011 I am a supporter of The Hispanic Latino Resource Group The Support Group for African American Affairs and the Galesburg American Legion Post #285 Baseball team from the University of Chicago’s Crown Family School of Social Work Occupation: Manager of Scholar Placement with The Golden Apple Foundation Campaign website or Facebook page: Demarkius Medley Sr for Alderman Ward 6 Government experience: While I have not held elected office before my experience working on city initiatives and advocating for policies that impact Galesburg has given me a strong foundation in government processes I served on the Galesburg Community Center Task Force where I worked alongside city officials and community leaders to assess needs and develop plans for a space that will provide vital services to residents I have successfully lobbied for agricultural policies such as the Farm Bill and hemp legislation-both of which directly impact local businesses and economic development in Galesburg This hands-on experience in policy advocacy has strengthened my ability to navigate government structures and push for initiatives that benefit our community Community involvement: My commitment to Galesburg is reflected in my deep involvement in initiatives that support our residents and drive progress l served on the Galesburg Community Center Task Force working alongside local leaders to develop a plan for a much-needed space that will provide youth programs I contributed to discussions on site selection including exploring a collaboration with the Knox County YMCA to expand services for families in our area I’ve always believed in taking action to uplift our community my brothers and I donated $10,000 to the Galesburg Youth Athletic Club to start an after-school program providing young people with a safe space to learn and grow I also operate an urban farm that received a city grant and inspire more young people — especially people of color — to pursue careers in agriculture This work has given me the opportunity to advocate for policies like the Farm Bill and hemp legislation which have a direct impact on our local economy where I help develop an urban farm program for youth using innovative hydroponic systems to teach them about agriculture and sustainability Education: I have a degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology which has equipped me with strong problem-solving skills and a structured approach to tackling complex issues — qualities that are essential for making informed decisions on infrastructure I am currently studying Political Science at the University of Illinois Springfield where I am deepening my understanding of government structures This combination of technical expertise and political knowledge gives me a unique perspective in addressing the challenges facing Galesburg ensuring that my decisions as alderman are both practical and policy driven Occupation:  I am a Distribution Design Specialist for Ameren where I work on designing and planning electrical distribution systems to ensure reliable power for communities focusing on sustainable agriculture and economic development in Galesburg and policy advocacy gives me a well-rounded perspective on the challenges and opportunities facing our city Government experience: This is my first time running for office I was appointed as a member of the Citizens Strategic Planning Group Community involvement: As a commercial hot air balloon pilot for 36 years I founded and have been the president of The Great Balloon Race for the past 25 years I was also a part of the Leadership Greater Galesburg V Education: I have an Associate’s Degree in Radiologic Technology from Carl Sandburg College Occupation: I am retired from Heat and Control after working there for 8 years it's a company that manufactures conveyor systems for other manufacturing companies Cervantez: I want to be a voice for those who feel lost in the conversation I know that we have a lot to offer and would love to see the city grow This cannot happen without the committed community members who already live and work here We also cannot grow when only a few voices have representation at the Council table My father’s grandfather migrated here with the railroad in the early 1900s I am the daughter of two working class parents and my mother worked as an MRI technologist before her retirement — hard-working people raising a family whose day-to-day was too busy to worry about the implications of decisions made by the City Council These are the voices that I want to ensure have representation These are where my roots are and they are deep Medley: I am running for alderman of Ward 6 because Galesburg needs bold forward-thinking leadership that prioritizes economic growth and Distribution Design Specialist for Ameren I understand the challenges working families I have spent years advocating for policies that benefit our community I believe Galesburg cannot afford to be stagnant or return to the basics — we need innovative solutions that create opportunities for everyone I will fight for transparency in government and deep commitment to this city make me the right choice to move Ward 6 and all of Galesburg forward Saul: I am a lifelong resident in Galesburg I graduated from GHS in 1975 and have owned my current home since 1992 I see the potential in our city and want to help shape it into the great town I know it can become Cervantez: There are a few issues that I have heard about from constituents Streets that are in need of attention: repaving making sure drainage during weather is adequate and surveying if some streets need to be made parking on one side only for ease of traffic I will work with the city departments necessary to understand what is already in place to assess and address these concerns and work to create a plan if one is not in place at the city council table is another issue Ensuring that the city council is considering more voices than the vocal few will mean finding ways to hear from Ward 6 constituents setting a time periodically to invite constituents to meet with me about ideas or concerns many are concerned about the cost of living While grocery and gas prices are out of our hands we can ensure that we are doing our due diligence when considering how the city is creating and using its budget I will work to understand the city’s budget and the ways in which budget decisions impact community members Medley: The most pressing issue in Ward 6 is the lack of government transparency and communication from the current alderman Too many constituents have expressed frustration that their concerns are not being heard or addressed I will make open communication a priority by holding regular town hall meetings and ensuring that city decisions are made openly and with public input The people of Ward 6 deserve a representative who listens and advocates for their needs-not one who operates behind closed doors Saul: Infrastructure and safety issues are pressing concerns By allocating more funds each year to repair street and sidewalks we can gradually address some of these problems Cervantez: I want to see Galesburg move forward positively for its current citizens and those individuals and families looking to call a small town home I want to ensure that there is a representation of the community at the city council table I want to ensure that the city is creating and implementing its budget with transparency and in the best interest of all community members Medley: People should vote for me because Ward 6 deserves a leader who listens residents have felt unheard and left out of city decisions I bring a unique blend of experience in economic development I have a proven track record of investing in our community from helping to build youth programs to advocating for policies that support local businesses and fair policies that uplift all residents-not just a select few I will ensure that the people of Ward 6 have a voice in their local government If you want new leadership that won't be stagnant or return to the basics Saul: I will be accessible and approachable I will respond to citizens’ questions as they arise and will get an answer that will benefit the greater good Cervantez: I believe that it is in many ways We have seen growth in businesses within town plans for improvements of parks and recreation including Cooke Park and news that the National Railroad Hall of Fame is moving forward we have a school district with new infrastructure including a wonderful GAVC center that can help educate and prepare the next generation The city has worked to recognize needs in housing We have a lot to be proud of and to continue to build upon Medley: The progress made in Galesburg over the past four years has been truly commendable From enhanced public safety and infrastructure investments to economic development and environmental initiatives these are the kinds of forward-thinking policies that improve quality of life for all residents I will work to build on this momentum by ensuring continued investment in our streets and community programs while also prioritizing transparency and communication with constituents We currently have a great City Manager and I look forward to working with him We have several projects that will help the city grow in the right direction There are some areas that need improvement such as the city infrastructure a shortage of housing and some safety issues that need to be addressed — The co-owner of Galesburg Pizza King wants answers after she said she was robbed at gunpoint while on a delivery last week While out for a delivery near Gayle Avenue and Burgess Drive Wednesday night Galesburg Pizza King co-owner Taylor Martin said after getting out of her car she was approached by someone with a gun who told her to "drop the food." Police arrived within a few minutes Martin posted to the Pizza King's Facebook page sharing what happened In an interview with News Channel 3 she revealed herself as the victim She said "during the terrifying moment," she was thinking about her children wondering if "this was the end." "I will never get that out of my head," Martin said and our top priority is the safety of our staff and our customers." Martin is concerned something like this could happen again and wants to hear from investigators "They had drones and they had the K9 and that they did what they could but as far as now and where we are moving forward The Galesburg Pizza King is taking extra steps to stay safe Because it's been run by her family for generations "This is our family business and we have very News Channel 3 reached out to the Kalamazoo County Sheriff's Office for more information and are waiting on a response (KWQC) - Peter Schwartzman won the race for Galesburg mayor Schwartzman leads with all precincts reporting Incumbent Mayor Peter Schwartzman faced former mayor John Pritchard Schwartzman won the mayoral election with 47% of the vote in a three-way race against then-incumbent Pritchard and fellow challenger Kristine Crow It’s a rematch of sorts in the race for Galesburg mayor Incumbent Peter Schwartzman is seeking a second term in the April 1 consolidated election who previously served two terms in the role Schwartzman won the mayoral election in a three-way race against then-incumbent Pritchard and fellow challenger Kristine Crow with 47% of the vote We asked Schwartzman and Pritchard why they’re running what the most pressing issue is for Galesburg and if the city is better or worse off than it was five years ago We also asked them about them about their backgrounds and community involvement Campaign website and Facebook page:www.mayorpeter.com/election2025https://www.facebook.com/PeterSchwartzmanforMayor Government experience: 14 years (10 years as Ward 5 Alderman Community involvement: current: KPCK president College4Kids instructor (past: winner of 2019 Mike Kroll Community Service Award Winner Occupation: Professor of Environmental Studies Campaign website and Facebook page:www.johnforgalesburg.comJohn Pritchard for Galesburg Mayor Government experience: Mayor of Galesburg from 2013 to 2021 Education: Studied Economics and Business Administration at Knox College Occupation: Owner and manager of 11 radio stations in Illinois and Iowa Schwartzman: I have always run to serve my community I believe Galesburg has great people and an amazing and proud history there is almost no challenge we cannot meet and no dream we cannot achieve Based on working with so many people across the community I feel I bring a healthy mix of these attributes to this leadership position Over the past four years as Galesburg's Mayor I have learned a lot about what makes certain projects and initiatives progress and others stagnate or flounder Despite significant turnover in key government positions we made a great deal of progress and now that things have settled down I see wonderful opportunities for continued growth and improvement I believe I am primed to contribute to the success of such efforts Galesburg has been great to me and my two daughters that were born and raised here There are so many programs and services for people There are also mental health needs that are not being met I have begun efforts to address these important issues and look forward to tackling them head-on in the near future Schwartzman: Two strategic planning sessions (one by the City Council and one by KCAP) have clarified that housing is the key issue facing Galesburg right now There aren't enough affordable options for single-family homes or apartments To serve current residents' needs as well as attract new residents the City must support renovations as well as new buildings The City has just begun active conversations with developers and I am excited about the prospects of this effort Schwartzman: I have a very positive outlook for Galesburg I bring this optimism to the job every day has resulted in many great outcomes for our City--including several multi-million dollar state and federal grant awards more than two dozen new local business creations and very successful philanthropically-driven ventures I also genuinely care for all of the residents of Galesburg and work tirelessly to improve their lives and promote a positive future for Galesburg My direct phone number (309-877-1988) is widely known and disseminated I truly enjoy helping residents with challenges and ambitions of all sizes and scopes from a pothole or a downed tree to a lifelong dream of a new business It takes the contributions of many residents to create Galesburg and make it the great city that it is I hope to foster more ambitious and better coordinated endeavors The City's surplus budgets of $5+ million a year have allowed the City to invest more dollars in improved safety (with more police and fire firefighters) and in parks and expanded recreational opportunities Increased visitors to Galesburg and new and improved amenities and attractions has benefited local businesses Several new $10+ million business investments (ex. The Delong Co.) as well as the opening of popular establishments (ex. Dunkin') provide lots of new jobs and indicate that there is a great deal of confidence in Galesburg's future for two huge projects (one at Logistics Park and the Railroad Hall of Fame) to come to fruition in just the past year testifies to a very prosperous Galesburg in the coming years Note: Pritchard responded with a single answer to the questions that TSPR asked We asked candidates to keep answers to 400 words per question; Pritchard’s combined answer to the four questions is 1,007 words Pritchard: I stepped up to run again to utilize my extensive financial and business skills for the people of Galesburg to help steady the state of Galesburg city government Our current mayor’s first two years when he had a majority of city council members was arrogant and chaotic One example is that they rammed through a sales tax hike without seeking approval from voters in a referendum Peter Schwartzman and his fellow Aldermen were fixated on expanding city government in ways that were unsustainable They wanted the former Churchill school to be made into a community center with a child day care center in the same building as a homeless shelter The utility and maintenance costs for Churchill while it was closed was nearly $10,000 per month If opened as a multi-use community center with people coming and going all day long the utility expenses alone would have been a financial money pit for Galesburg taxpayers Mayor Schwarzman was against holding a community center public hearing to gather public input on the location of the proposed community center before he and his Council majority decided upon the Churchill building Schwartzman nominated Alderman Jaclyn Smith-Esters to the City Council and she said in the Register-Mail "When we put things on a ballot we really narrow who our audience is and when I say that I look at who is going out to vote and who is being affected by a community center In my opinion your average voter is an older I think we're losing the voice of the poor." I can’t stand by and allow that arrogance that is all about RULING the people of Galesburg as opposed to SERVING them It was widely known that Schwartzman made the city manager who was there when he became mayor so uncomfortable that he found another job and left Galesburg When Schwartzman became mayor we went through a chaotic period with four interim city managers Schwartzman then led the Council to hire Gerald Smith as city manager Schwartzman and Smith quickly developed a hyper political partisan relationship So much so that City Manager Gerald Smith wrote a political plan to Mayor Schwartzman on official city email outlining plans to “build a future campaign war chest for your reelection.” The City Manager’s official email further went on about “you and your progressive leadership” and the need to “team up” with local political parties That was an outrageous abuse of taxpayer resources City managers are not hired to also serve as political campaign managers There always needs to be a firewall between what is official city business and political campaign matters While Schwartzman said City Manager Smith’s official email to him about campaign matters was unsolicited somehow Schwartzman was able to make Smith comfortable in sending such an unethical and illegal email After city resources were illegally used for a campaign plan by the city manager Mayor Schwartzman did not put a reprimand letter of the city manager in his personnel file and he tried to protect Smith when the new city council elected in 2023 sought Smith’s ouster for cause being that he was incompetent Things stabilized under our new City Council majority and our new professional City Manager Mayor Schwartzman has been able to coast on the one-time only luxury of millions of dollars in federal AARPA Covid relief funds sent to all cities Those days are over and the tough choices have to be made to realign our city budget to one that isn’t awash in one-time only federal money I’ve seen Peter Schwartzman take credit for things others did just because he has presided as mayor for the past four years This campaign will detail those false claims of credit Mayor Schwartzman takes credit for $2.5 million in street repairs That was only possible when the new city council in 2023 ended consideration of making the former Churchill school into a community center and passed a motion to divert $2.5 million in tax revenue that had been slated for Churchill to fixing our streets Had Schwartzman had his way with Churchill that money for street repairs would not have been available I cannot stand by with my substantial success in banking and owning and operating 11 radio stations one newspaper was making $42,000 per year in operating income when I became publisher and manager and I brought that operating income to $980,000 in only one year. That’s the type of financial management Galesburg taxpayers deserve I want to return the focus of city government to getting the basics right and in the most cost efficient manner possible: clean water economic development and a healthy business climate so we can address our housing problem Most homes in Galesburg were built before 1930 That can’t be done with a government program It can be done with a lean city government that focuses on the basics and has competitive property taxes and sales taxes We can’t begin to compete when our businesses are at a competitive disadvantage with higher taxes than nearby cities Our city council majority elected in 2023 brought back stability and common sense to Galesburg city government hyper ideological and financially unsustainable social experiments of Peter Schwartzman’s first two years in office when he had a Council majority I am convinced that if not for the new Council majority elected in 2023 we would have had more chaos and dysfunction In his illegal campaign plan email to Mayor Schwartzman former City Manager Gerald Smith said the established political institution will describe Mayor Schwartzman this way —"An out of control ultra-liberal gadfly that needs to reigned (sic) in." Smith's own chosen words perfectly describe Mayor Schwartzman (KWQC) - A Galesburg family is facing the unimaginable after the mother suffered a medical complication during the birth of their second child Abbey and Kyle Small are both members of the Galesburg Police Department family Abbey suffered a medical complication that caused a cardiac event during the birth of their second child She’s recovering but her prognosis is unknown Galesburg Police Chief Russell Idle said that along with financial help the department have helped take care of their kids and visited them at the hospital “So many unknowns and such an overwhelming experience,” Idle said to be just part of your team and your support system.” Deputy Chief Kevin Legate said “there has been a lot of support from the spouses of our officers and dispatchers that have stepped up and really taken this and ran with this.” The department recently shared the family’s GoFundMe on Facebook Idle said the community response has been heartwarming and it’s very much appreciated,” Idle said Now the department is trying to plan ahead while serving the community The weekend brings the Second Annual Black History Month Rhythm and Soul Fundraiser and a performance by Ben Jones Valentine's Day events and more to the Galesburg area Create with CupidWhat: Connect with someone you love or want to get to know better in a casual and creative atmosphere Make your own frozen treat with your bestie What: Parents can get a night away on Valentine's Day while knowing their children are engaged and active with the Indoor Mobile Playground on the multipurpose courts Staff will lead a variety of children’s games and activities A family friendly movie will be played in the lobby area for those who need a break Pizza will be provided as part of the program cost Lovebirds Lounge NightWhat: Enjoy the ultimate lovebirds lounge night for you and someone special with dim lights and candlelight, live music by Sean Kistler food and drinks and all the romantic vibes What: Grab your sweetheart for a night of classic rock-n-roll with Neon Nova The Tasting Room Affair with Taste of CandyWhat: Enjoy an evening of indulgence at this exclusive wine and chocolate pairing event featuring wines from Hidden Hills paired with organic chocolate from Taste of Candy Guests younger than 21 can attend with parent or guardian What: Hailed by Broadway World as “one of the most unbelievable vocal instruments in the industry today.” Peoria native and award-winning vocalist Ben Jones and legendary pianist composer and music director Ron Abel combine their talents for an evening of laughs and music celebrating the catalog of Frank Sinatra in celebration of Valentine’s Day Where: All Stars Sports Academy at Skateland What: This fundraiser for the Support Group for African American Affairs features performances by Dexter O'Neal and Funk Yard What: Watch the story of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment fight for freedom in “Glory.” This event promotes the initiative of creating a permanent monument to honor these heroes of the American Civil War Dan Swanson while being accompanied by Galesburg city leaders and community supporters took to the Illinois State House floor to read a resolution honoring 12 African-American men from Galesburg who fought in the Civil War after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation President Abraham Lincoln called for the raising of a black regiment for the Union Army forming the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment It was only the second black unit to serve in the Civil War the video recording of the resolution from Rep Swanson will be shown along with brief words from Dan and City of Galesburg Ward 4 Alderman Dwight White who is largely responsible for moving this initiative forward Pre-Civil War Quilts: Secret Codes to Freedom on the Underground RailroadWhat: Join Illinois Road Scholar Speaker Connie Martin as she tells stories passed down through her family about how her family survived the antebellum period through trials and tribulations and how they used quilts that contained hidden codes and secret messages to assist abolitionists–white and black–to guide enslaved people to freedom through the Underground Railroad to Canada Connie shares 18 different quilt patterns in replica quilts and refers to a book her mother wrote about their family called Lizzie’s Story: A Slave Family’s Journey to Freedom What: Get ready for an afternoon of music featuring the Allstar Band of Scott Anderson on guitar Carol Maloney and Becky Fleisher on vocals and special guest Scott Grulke on percussions or another adult and paint your own piggy bank Reservation covers one adult and one child There will be a selection of colors to paint your piggy bank Where: The Tap Room at Reserve Artisan Ales Jazz NightWhat: Come hear the Knox Cherry Street Combo Full bar and you can order food from any local restaurant (some within walking distance) and have "Supper at the Center." (No outside drinks allowed.) protesters gathered along East Main Street in Galesburg to rally for democracy hundreds of protesters showed up carrying signs — and so did a handful of counter-protesters across the street Marlene Stone of Galesburg held a sign reading “Dig very serious about democracy so I'm using a little sense of humor here,” Stone told TSPR The environment is one of the issues that inspired Stone to be part of the rally on Sunday at Main and Chestnut streets “I’m very concerned about the environment and what’s happening when they keep dig if we’re going to have a country for our younger people I want us to be more into the environment.” Organizers of the protest said they’re mobilizing to take a stand against Republican leadership that they believe has made a mockery of human rights and is trampling democracy They said the rally was about protecting working families Support for Ukraine is one of the issues that brought Gail Rinkenberger to Galesburg two weeks in a row from her home in Henry County “I think that it's really important for us to keep our promises to those people I'm not for mass immigrations like everybody running in and taking over the U.S. but I think that we need to keep our promises to the people who came here to escape war and who came here for what the Statue of Liberty promises us,” Rinkenberger said Karen and Frank Haffner sat in lawn chairs holding handmade signs and American flags “We may be old but we can still protest,” said Karen said they didn’t go to the protest last week but wanted to speak their mind “Things like what’s going on with Ukraine,” he said Other protesters held signs calling for the Trump administration to re-hire federal workers that lost their jobs and to protect social security four counter-protesters held Trump signs and American flags One counter-protestor held pro-deportation and anti-trans signs one of the counter-protesters reminded protesters that Americans elected a Republican majority Nine candidates are vying for four seats on the Galesburg District 205 board of education That includes five candidates running for two seats in Galesburg Township Incumbents Pamella Bess-Tabb and Rod Scherpe are running including incumbents Tera Boettcher and Maurice Lyon and challengers Jamie Harter and Benjamin Yeutson We asked the candidates about their community involvement and relevant skills for serving on a school board We also asked what issues motivated them to run for office what they think the school district is doing well and what they think the district could be doing better Note: Candidates are listed in alphabetical order under each race Campaign website or Facebook page: Pamella Bess-Tabb: CUSD 205 Bachelor Sociology and Anthropology Monmouth College 2008 Occupation: Behavioral Health Therapist and Case Manager I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker- Illinois and Minnesota Licensed School Social Worker- Illinois and Iowa Relevant skills and experience: I have attained the merit of Illinois Association of School Board- Established School Board Member: 2024 Illinois Association of School Board Division officer: 2023-2025 Western Division Executive Board- Chair: 2023-2025 Vice President of Galesburg CUSD #205: 2023-2025 Illinois Joint Annual Conference Panelist: 2024 Federal Advocacy Ambassador Attendee: 2023 District Delegate Illinois Joint Annual Conference: 2022 District Strategic Planning participant: 2024 Galesburg CUSD #205 School Board Member 2021-2025 Community involvement: Future Streaks Girls Basketball Coach 2017-2023 Education: BA in Sports administration From Williams Penn University Occupation: Gas Journeyman for Ameren Illinois Relevant skills and experience: Communication Community involvement: Volunteered coaching various sports and various ages from pre-K basketball to assistant baseball coach at Knox College Campaign website or Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/vote4scherpe Occupation:  Retired Illinois State Trooper Relevant skills and experience: Two terms on school board the Negotiations Committee and the newly formed Teacher Recruitment Retention and Appreciation Committee.  Community involvement: Serving on the School Board Occupation: Health Care Navigator for Supportive Services for Veteran Families first all I would definitely say that having school age children helps I get to hear all about what is going on in the 3rd grade from my oldest son and soon Pre-K from my youngest If you don’t hear about it its harder to get the full picture Some may know that I served on Galesburg City Council for two years which has given me the skills of working with a community with strong ideas and passionate hearts From that experience I have really gotten to know our community I still serve on boards and volunteer with non-profits when I can With this experience I will waste no time getting things done to improve our district The skill set I would bring to the board is professionalism I also understand our branches of government and how each are variables in public education This is important because it is the backbone to a school district and helps drive the decision making I am also very knowledgeable in Robert Rules of Order Board Orpheum Theater (2023-2024); Worship Committee and VBS Coordinator First Christian Church (2023-Present); Member Board of Directors Continuum of Care for Northwestern Illinois (2018-2021); Member Board of Directors Downtown Community Partnership of Galesburg (2021-2023) 5th Ward Council Member City of Galesburg (2021-2023); City of Galesburg Youth Commission Member; Music and Murals Committee; Served on Knox County Truancy Board (2018-2019); Galesburg United Way Agency Liaison (2018-2019); Unmet Needs Committee (2018-Present) Volunteer at the Orpheum Theatre; Outreach Committee First Christian Church of Galesburg (2023-Present); Member Sociology Honorary Society—WIU; Past Secretary Galesburg Community Preschool; Served on the Board of Prairie Players Civic Theatre Campaign website or Facebook page: Luan Statham for Galesburg School Board 205 Education: Galesburg High School (1979); Illinois State University (B.S Board of Directors of Thrive Community Services (formerly KCCDD); Member Board of Directors of Camp Kidz; Volunteer Bess-Tabb:  As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker we are very passionate professionals who are active advocates Advocacy is designed to help others achieve their desired outcomes As a Social Worker we learn in graduate school the importance of empowerment dignity and civic service to help improve standards within institutional establishments I wanted to serve on a Board of Education after graduate school when I found out through research the connection of a student's likely success post K-12 and how the education and services received can impact several sub groups which created what we call the school to prison pipeline Many educational institutions have a disadvantaged and or underserved population(s) I felt it was my civic duty when I moved back to Galesburg in 2017 to run for a public office I wanted to facilitate meaningful change while improving the education of the Galesburg School District where I graduated in 2000 children and staff I graduated high school with who are all attending or working in the district I want to ensure all students have the resources needed to meet their full academic potential through effective policy and governance These are the things that motivate me to serve on the Galesburg CUSD School Board and administrators have the tools they need to be successful every day We need to listen to the frontline workers (teachers) on issues they are having Oftentimes decisions are made without the opinions of the ones who are doing it every day Scherpe: I am seeking re-election to the Galesburg School Board because I am committed to ensuring our schools provide the highest quality education in a fiscally responsible manner and the overall educational experience for our students and families One of my top priorities has been maintaining financial responsibility without increasing the property tax rate we have strengthened the district’s financial position while making meaningful improvements in all school buildings I have been dedicated to transparency by ensuring that board documents and meeting archives are easily accessible to the public I am also motivated by my desire to continue advocating for our students and staff I have worked to improve health insurance and collective bargaining agreements for our teachers A well-supported staff leads to a stronger learning environment for our students Another priority is fostering equity and opportunity for all students Through collaboration with families and the community we must ensure that every child has the tools they need to succeed in a safe and engaging environment I am honored to have served in leadership roles such as Board President and Vice-President as well as on the Insurance and Union Negotiations Committees These experiences have reinforced my belief that strong schools make strong communities and I respectfully ask for your support in this election Smith-Esters: I would say the most pressing issue is the future of my children I have instilled in my children the importance of education and the best way to show them that is to serve on the board The other pressing issues would be to bring fresh ideas to the board and create a more open door policy to change We need to create a more positive relationship with our community which involves all those having a voice at the table Statham: I have always been a strong advocate for public education I think there is a current running through communities and politics right now that is disparaging the work that public schools do I want to help keep it moving forward in the right direction so that our students will realize their full potential to succeed in our world post-high school I believe the next four years are going to be a turbulent time for all public schools in Illinois with regard to finances I think it’s important to have someone on the Board who has experience with large budgets and understands school finance issues This new Board will also choose the next Superintendent I worked for several different Superintendents all of whom had completely different visions and personalities I think my experience is valuable in helping the Board choose the next leader for our District and Established School Board Member in Illinois with 4 years of experience Our nation is currently going through major social changes and it is imperative that Galesburg retains their most experienced and educated School Board Members School Board experience takes at minimum 4 years to learn and retain most of the knowledge a board member will need to know to govern successfully During this time of social change it is important that the students staff and community know that they have strong experienced leaders sitting on their local Board of Education to help guide appropriately through policy Established Illinois School Board Members know what School Board Governance is and can provide effective governing leadership and education to the community There will be a lot of policies coming in from the federal and state level for the foreseeable future and it is important that the Galesburg residents retain the most competent of School Board Members I have a proven track record of action since being elected in 2021 I am not only an active Board Member at monthly meetings I am active and attentive when called upon for classroom visits staff and community concerns that need resolution I am the School Board Member who will take my time to reply to all emails and even meet in person for concerns regarding the school district I maintain an open door policy as a school board member and enjoy sharing my knowledge and expertise I regularly volunteer my time to the Galesburg School district staff and community know that they have a very dedicated and actionable School Board Member working for them Irons: I enjoy working as a team to resolve conflicts Problem-solving is an important factor being on the school board and working hard is something I will bring to the table Along with having that open dialogue with our great community Common sense approach to common sense issues Scherpe: Voters should support me for re-election because I bring experience and a strong commitment to making our schools the best they can be I have worked to ensure that every decision is made with the best interests of students One of my key priorities has been financial responsibility I have helped improve the district’s financial health while ensuring that we do not raise the property tax rate but we also have to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars I will continue to advocate for smart financial decisions that benefit students without placing unnecessary burdens on families I also believe in open and transparent governance That’s why I have supported making board meetings available via livestream and ensuring that financial reports and district documents are accessible to the public Our community deserves to know how and why decisions are made and I will continue working to keep the board’s actions clear and accountable Supporting educators and staff is another priority of mine I have worked on improving health insurance and collective bargaining agreements because I know that when we take care of our teachers we create a better learning environment for students and I will always advocate for policies that help our students and staff succeed I believe that every student should have access to the tools and resources they need to thrive This includes efforts to build partnerships with the community and other institutions I am committed to ensuring that our district provides opportunities for all I am running for re-election because I care deeply about the future of Galesburg schools and want to continue making a positive impact Smith-Esters: I serve my community and that includes all I have served on multiple boards and some that have multimillion dollar budgets My son attends District 205 and soon my youngest will too I believe a school district is the heart to every community School is where lasting relationships begin The beginning of our stories are from the halls of our classrooms I believe that a community is only as strong as their schools Many of you may remember that I did serve on the Galesburg City Council and was and I still am an advocate for a community center and I want to create the love of education By empowering and supporting those who have the passion for our children Statham: I went through the District 205 school system as a student from 8th grade through 12th grade I think my 30 years of working for the District has given me the knowledge necessary to be on the School Board I know what it’s like to be a classroom teacher I know what it’s like to work as a counselor I have experience working with support personnel as well as getting to know food service workers and custodians I was active in the GEA and spent many hours listening to the struggles that our educators deal with on a daily basis so I can see that side of the coin as well I believe that I’m a very approachable person and a good listener Fostering a spirit of collaboration is very important to me It takes everyone working together to make an organization run well I believe I have the skills to bring people together to foster a culture of openness I ran on communication and transparency efforts improving in the district I believe the school district has greatly improved in this area since being elected The district has increased communication to the public with social media and an interactive and informational website Our district has been transparent on all items that can be legally transparent without violating the rights of students or families We have a very active social media presence post COVID The Galesburg school district has worked diligently at keeping students staff and community more informed on the happenings at each school building in the district than in the last four years Since improving these efforts we have seen an increase in engagement with the community The Galesburg school district has also improved in meeting more socioeconomic needs of our students and staff with the implementation of Huddle which is a virtual mental health service and the annual Thrive in 205 event Thrive in 205 has grown substantially since its initial creation during my first term Galesburg has a current 1.9% percentage of homelessness amongst our students McKenny Vento funding has given greater assistance to our growing homeless population of students The Keisha Cares Van was also launched during my tenure that assists students and families with personal products at no cost to them or their family Irons: There are a lot of things the school district does well and I feel we have great educators in our district Another thing they have done well is trying to be innovative on communicating with parents Scherpe: One of the greatest strengths of our school district is the dedication and resilience of our staff and students and administrators work tirelessly to create a positive learning environment where students can thrive Their commitment to student success is evident in the way they go above and beyond whether through innovative teaching strategies building strong relationships with students or providing critical support services that ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed Our students also continue to impress with their hard work participating in extracurricular activities they demonstrate the values of perseverance and excellence and beyond are a testament to both their effort and the guidance they receive from our outstanding educators our district has made great strides in fostering a collaborative and inclusive culture By working closely with families and the community we are creating an environment where all students feel valued and supported and the dedication of our staff to continuous improvement have made a meaningful impact I am proud of what our staff and students accomplish every day and I believe our district’s greatest strength is the people who make it all possible I look forward to continuing to support and celebrate their successes Smith-Esters: The district has done amazing in their construction of modernizing and updating school buildings This is definitely a grabbing point when families are thinking of moving to Galesburg I think that athletics are moving in the right direction and that is primarily due to hiring the right leaders for our youth I also feel that the district is trying to work with the City of Galesburg which I believe is a smart move and can only have a positive outcome I feel if chosen to be a board member I have the knowledge to create that bridge Statham: Since the return to school from the Covid pandemic I believe the District has gone to great lengths to add programs to help deal with the social/emotional issues of our students The Administration has sought out grant funds to add additional programs and personnel to help meet the ever-changing challenges that our students deal with on a daily basis they have found grant money to pay for the “Thrive in 205” event each year This event is open to anyone who works for the District This event offers a variety of programs and educational workshops for participants to choose from as well as an inspirational keynote speaker Another area that I believe the District has excelled in is in the area of District Finances the District was in a dire financial situation and it took some drastic measures for a couple of years to get the District back on track It’s a very hard thing to do when you have to let personnel and programs go so that you can save money to keep operating the District has tried to slowly add back in some of the programs and personnel that were let go I commend their efforts in trying to keep the District in good financial standing The building projects that have been going on for several years now have seen every building in the District basically turn into a brand new school clean and welcoming environment to come into each day hopefully translates into students having less anxiety and stress so that they can focus on learning Bess-Tabb: The district has struggled for several years with getting sub groups such as Black Hispanic and Special Education students to close the achievement gap compared to their non-disabled and White peers The district has had several targeted designations in the last two academic years at King Our district will receive additional funding to bring these schools out of this designation but it’s important we do more research into why these three subgroups are struggling support and other unidentified needs to better serve their needs and close that academic gap we can give those students access to the equity needed for their academic success The underperformance of these subgroups is not new I also mentioned it during the 2021 election cycle my advocacy would be at the state and federal level for better policies and funding My job is to follow state and federal guidelines and work for effective change through policy writing and funding I would continue to participate in advocacy efforts at Division meetings and attend advocacy events If re-elected I would run for a different position on the Western Division Executive Board Summer 2025 which would allow for more direct impact with resolution writing and policy implementation That would bring more opportunities to work with state legislators on impactful change As one of the largest rural school districts we need the most educated experienced and strongest voices to address our unique needs In a second term I would like our Board to foster better working relationships with our union and staff Our district has gone to arbitration more frequently than I would like Superintendent and union to work better together to reduce the need for attorneys I believe this can only be done with proactive and improved communication alongside relationship building between everyone I feel there should be a more concerted effort of accountability at the school board level for elected members The more Established School Board Members a district has the more stability it can provide with better policy making For a board to govern at its highest capacity all board members must be dedicated and willing to go through the four-year rigor of attaining the merit of an Established School Board Member Teachers and administrators need to have more support They need to be able to teach in an environment that not only allows them to be successful but more importantly the kids being successful Oftentimes the lack of discipline creates a chaotic learning environment Accountability and discipline need to be enforced The other thing I feel the district could do better is be more proactive on maintaining our facility and school grounds The way I would handle these issues is very simple Scherpe: While our district is making great strides there are always opportunities for improvement Strong communication and engagement with families and the broader community are essential and staff feel heard and informed about key decisions I will continue to advocate for more accessible and proactive communication efforts ensuring that families have a voice in shaping our schools Competitive salaries and benefits are essential but just as important is fostering a work environment where staff feel valued We must ensure that our district remains a place where educators want to build their careers by providing strong professional development opportunities Advocating for these improvements means prioritizing staff support in every decision we make I will continue working to provide fair compensation and a positive work environment that helps us retain the outstanding educators and staff who make our schools great and that starts with ensuring we have the best people in place to guide and support them Advocating for improvement begins with listening I believe in working closely with students and families to understand their concerns and push for meaningful change and support initiatives that lead to real improvements in student learning and staff support By maintaining a strong focus on student resources we can build an even stronger future for Galesburg schools Smith-Esters: I would advocate for more impactful support tools for grades K to 2 We have very large classes and even more in the coming years We need to find innovative ways to create support We have amazing teachers who decided that they wanted to empower our youth with a wealth no one can take away I feel that the district would really benefit from going to other districts in our own and neighboring states to see their approach to education I also believe that to really make our students successful is including them in the education process teachers are with curriculum but including those who are on the other end of that might bring vital information that would aid in the success of our youth I really believe that if a student has great memories and empowered in school they are more likely to succeed and we cannot try to understand them without including their voice I would like to see our district engage more with life skills I have been a social worker for eight years in this and surrounding communities and I feel situations that some individuals are experiencing are due to not having life skills I would advocate for our students to get work experience opportunities in our community for high school students I would love to see a career mentorship to be created in our community This might look like students working alongside an engineer This would advocate for a work experience committee to create this opportunity for our youth as well as our community there needs to always be a major focus on the academic growth of the students Having sat through many School Board meetings and listened to the presentations by the principals I know firsthand that they are trying their best to come up with new ideas for increasing student engagement to help increase their academic scores I also know that students learn in a variety of ways so there is not a one-size fits all solution to increasing academic scores There must be room for teachers to be creative in their classrooms so that they can reach every student it was difficult for many of our students to get back into the flow of going to school again and having to study for long periods of time I think getting parents more involved with their students’ learning is key to their academic success Learning can’t just take place in school; it needs to extend into the home as well I would advocate for more opportunities for parents to come into the schools so that they can develop important relationships with the educators and learn how to help their child at home the schools have hosted Family Reading Night to try to draw more parents into the schools I would advocate for more of these types of events and more opportunities for parents to volunteer at their child’s school I would also advocate for events that teach parents more about how children learn how they can support what’s going on in the classroom and how the teacher might support them Campaign website or Facebook page:  Tera Boettcher: For Galesburg CUSD 205 School Board Education: AA - Carl Sandburg College; BA - Bradley University; MSW - St Occupation: Human Services Casework Manager for the State of Illinois - Family Community Resource Center Relevant skills and experience: I am a social worker and previously licensed LCSW I have previously been licensed for School Social Work I have decades in the social service field with a child welfare and mental health background I have 4 years of Board experience and insight to bring to a new term Community involvement: With 2 young children my community involvement is limited to my work with the Galesburg School Board and my children’s educational activities and school functions My Community involvement revolves around my 2 kids and niece and nephews involvement in activities within the community A big part of our time is devoted to the Future Streaks and other sports activities throughout the summer Campaign website or Facebook page:  Jamie Nichols Harter Education: High school diploma with some college credits Occupation: Secretary for Mable Woolsey Elementary School District 202 (Knoxville) Relevant skills and experience: I began as a Paraprofessional for District 205 and I currently work for District 202 Working within a school gives me first-hand experience of the needs of the students and the staff Community involvement: I have organized travel sports that require a lot of fundraising I participate in community and school fundraisers for multiple purposes I believe in supporting local businesses and locally owned family restaurants 2025: Age 72 or as the historically minded will note one week before Dwight Eisenhower was elected for his first term Education:  BA Psychology Carleton College 1974; MA Educational Administration Occupation: Retired from education. Currently the CEO(Chief Errands Officer) for Cornucopia Natural Market & Deli Relevant skills and experience: I began teaching third grade in 1975 The experiences in four districts before arriving in Galesburg allows for perspective on our practices I have been attending CUSD 205 Board meetings since August 1985 I bring institutional memory of the district practices Having worked as an administrator I understand school finances grant processes and school policy application Community involvement: Founding board member of Galesburg Youth Athletic Club and Discovery Depot; Past board member of Teen Court; Past child advocate for Knox County CASA; Longtime board member and religious school teacher at Temple Sholom; Active member in the Dr Martin Luther King Jr Celebration Committee Campaign website or Facebook page: Ben Yeutson for CUSD 205 School Board  Associates in Information Resource Management from the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from DeVry University (2006) Masters Degree in Public Administration from University of Illinois – Springfield (2025) Certificate in Public Procurement from University of Illinois – Springfield (2025) Occupation: Active Duty Military: Air National Guard Base Contracting Officer for 26 years Relevant skills and experience for serving on the board of education: Skills and experience include writing contracts managing multi-million dollar credit card programs Previous employment held in insurance industry and medical field claims processes I bring firsthand experience navigating the individual education plan (IEP) process through my own children’s education Community involvement: Volunteer leader for Monmouth Community Thanksgiving Day Meal; Galesburg FFA Alumni and Supporters President; prior Galesburg Youth Baseball coach and lifetime member of the National Guard Association of Illinois Boettcher: Four years ago I was motivated to run for the school board because I had 3 family members and many friends that were educators in the district These teachers desired a voice and a direct My children and niece and nephew attend this school district and I wanted to be a part of the decisions involving their school experience and future I want to be in a position to be able to advocate for appropriate and needed services I want to be part of a team that ensures the best possible educational experience for all of our students Harter: One of the motivations I have to run for the Board is that I am seeing decisions made from a personal agenda and not what is for the good of the District and the community I think it is very important to remember when decisions are voted on Another issue I have noticed over the past few years is the disconnect between the District and staff I have a strong understanding of the staff’s needs I plan on building bridges so we are working together as a whole Lyon:  While all boards attempt to positively influence the learning and behavior of our students it is necessary for us to do that in an equitable manner The current board has some initiatives in place for all children and they need to be continued and supported As an elected officer our most important role is to hire the superintendent and to hold him/her accountable for the operation of the district During this next term the current superintendent is scheduled to retire so I feel my experience with the district and superintendent responsibilities makes my serving this next term very valuable Yeutson: The three main issues that have driven my involvement are communication There are various communication platforms I encountered in the district The actual communication is inconsistent and irregular While volunteering within the Galesburg school district I encountered low enrollment in agriculture courses at Galesburg Senior High School I noticed communication and organizational processing issues within the district that created unnecessary friction Purchasing processes in the district are not transparent and approval procedures for purchases are complicated and confusing all users Open communication is something we need to better support students When trying to resolve communication concerns there is no direct focal point that resolves all issues within the district Community engagement is another significant concern While the school district provides helpful documents and links about local business and community partnerships these resources don’t always match up with information in school board meeting reports I’ve encountered many Galesburg residents dissatisfied with district decisions Some of those include construction priorities A school department and appointed district representative should be designated as the official point of contact for all community-related concerns and issues raised by current and former staff Community members seem willing to partner with the school district but don't know how to achieve that partnership I would love to serve as a bridge to help build partnerships between the community and the school district with the many volunteer We need curriculum that engages students but also meets the state education standards The school district has a decent dual credit program but we must build a dual credit program that targets Galesburg as a regional hub I realize we are in the Sandburg community college district but we can work with state legislature to find better ways to synergize all of the community colleges within our region we can build partnerships between Galesburg private education institutions such as Costa Catholic Academy and Galesburg Christian School Galesburg CUSD 205 curriculum needs to be set up to help reach full student potential I have both school board experience as well as decades of social work experience I have learned a lot and will hope to continue that knowledge and experience with another 4 years Having experienced board members on the Board helps facilitate the process of board work and ensures needs and goals are fulfilled This is not to say that new board members cannot accomplish these goals as well knowledgeable Board Members accelerates the process There is much involved in making decisions for our school district — legislation and laws and guidance governing how we can make decisions that affect our community and school environment Navigating through this takes commitment to research and general willingness to be open-minded and considerate of all involved I have and will continue to educate myself on issues pertaining to our school district and will consider the impact of such decisions on our staff I have and will continue to listen to all sides before making decisions that will impact our children I can vote against my OWN opinion if it is in the best interest or our children effective school boarding is about making decisions for the whole and not for the individual I am invested in ensuring a quality education for my children as well as your children in our school district I am an experienced social worker who brings decades of experience to our board I make decisions utilizing the core principles of social work values: social justice integrity and competence to name just a few Social workers advocate and empower and both characteristics are beneficial in the role of a School Board Member I value equity and equality for our students and staff I will ensure as a board member that these values are reflected in the decisions I make Harter: The community should vote for me because I will be the only Board Member that brings every angle to the table I am an employee of a school district and I was a previous employee of District 205 I am also a parent of a current student-athlete in District 205 with two other children who graduated from District 205 in 2020 and 2023 Lyon: For those in the community who have watched any board meetings know that I come prepared and ask probing questions We are doing the peoples' business and it needs to be clear and our actions transparent My dedication to the elements of student progress and board accountability should convince the public to return me for a third term The current board has made difficult decisions over the time we remodeled schools and closed some Some of the actions were not popular with everyone but the end result has been good for the children The example which comes to mind is the GHS auditorium Some in the community and on the board wanted to keep the 2,300 seat "barn." We moved forward with a smaller performing arts center in which students can be heard and a large enough student eating space (commons) where the students are not on top of each other...definitely humane environments Yeutson: I have a lot of experience with my career background that allows me to understand the inner workings of a school system to include contracts I enjoy working together with others to find conflict resolution My main objective is to provide the best school experience that benefits our community and students As a member of the Galesburg FFA Alumni and Supporters we assisted the Galesburg FFA students at the agriculture fair I don’t know anything about it.” I told him that the only person that can stop him from doing something is himself I am here to say any of our students in the district can accomplish anything they want to It would be my job to ensure that as a school board member we remove any obstacles that may stand in our student’s path for success Every student should have as many opportunities as they are willing to strive for I am volunteering to be each and every person in the district’s eyes I want the Galesburg School district to be successful We need refreshed points of view and that is something that I am willing to provide and work alongside the other board members Boettcher:  We have established board goals for our district and set up various committees to ensure these goals are being met Many of our staff and community members are a part of these committees and are committed to working together for the betterment of our school district and community Although we are still in the early stages of this Transparency and communication were a big concern when I first ran for election I feel that as a district we have improved upon both I feel that we make an attempt to explain more and there is a consistent effort to make sure the public is aware of the reasons behind the decision-making process Harter: District 205 is doing a wonderful job on recognizing the social and emotional well-being of our students the district has recognized that this changes the needs of our students Our students cannot learn unless they have this support The online counseling service the district has provided recently shows how important the students are to the district District 205 a few years ago decided to support their own special education department and part ways with Knox Warren Special Education I think this was a very wise decision and I am watching the district’s special education department become stronger and stronger Having proper decisions in place for a student’s success should be the number one priority and District 205 has done just that I have recognized over the years that the district makes staffing changes to further support our needs Recently they introduced interventionists outside of the classroom These certified teachers have small group settings to work closer with students that need extra support It is proving to work and this is another example of how well the district understands that the priority is for the children to be successful Lyon: Our district has provided students and students with bright We continue to enhance the physical plant offering and we are currently constructing a long overdue permanent home for our wrestling program(s) We also are willing to recognize where there are problems and instead of making excuses we attempt to come up with new solutions For a school district our size we have a very broad offering of extracurricular activities We want our students to find their comfort space and thrive Yeutson: I have heard many glowing reviews of the Bright Futures Pre-K program The elementary schools’ presentations during the school board meetings were very informative Student of the month programs help to build the something of young students The Galesburg Senior High School band continues to excel and I love how they include the junior high band members in continuing their legacy The newly renovated Galesburg Area Vocational Center is continuing to grow the GAVC saw almost 100 additional enrollees from the previous year.  The Shine in 205 is an excellent program that highlights the staff within the Galesburg CUSD 205 school district We need to find more ways to identify and promote a culture of both excellence in education and gratitude for the hard work our educators and support staff provide Boettcher: In our current environment it continues to be a challenge to staff our district with competent educators and support staff Although our district has taken steps and measures to improve this and make this a priority it continues to be a big challenge to our district Our board has established a goal and a committee targeted for the recruitment and retention of staff that I am grateful to be a part of Galesburg CUSD is committed to this goal and continues to find unique ways to accomplish this celebration of staff is part of this committee The district needs to value our staff and show appreciation for the dedication and commitment they show every day Special Education Services are important and necessary for many of our students in our school district we are not quite where we need to be in this area The district has cut our support staff down in our special education rooms despite our teachers' concerns and pleas to reconsider This is not only a disservice to our staff but also to one of our most vulnerable populations Without our educators and support staff doing the hard work every day I would continue to work within this committee and continue to emphasize the importance of this goal I will continue to educate myself on current legislation and best practices and will advocate for these to be considered in our decision making and accurately reflect in our decisions I will continue to be the voice of our educators and staff I am proud of our district and hope to have the opportunity to be a part of the growth I know we are capable of Harter: I haven’t been a part of decision-making when it comes to the budget or how funds are sourced throughout the district It would not be fair of me to judge but as an outsider I would like to see more funds go toward staffing Watching $80,000 to $90,000 being used for a new attendance system doesn’t seem necessary when I know we could use more staff I would like to see the district have a stronger approach with discipline The common theme I am hearing is “this happens everywhere.” Children do make poor decisions and yes It is how it is handled that is the difference We have to guide the children to be successful in the real world The district seems to battle with the union on things that are quite frankly Fighting over if teachers can have their children go to their own personal classroom at the end of the day after school is dismissed is just not necessary It sends a message that we do not believe the teacher can complete their job with their own child in the room but we believe they can teach other children throughout the day and complete their job Situations like this put a damper on the staff These little concerns discourage others to apply to the district I want our district to be known as the place you want to work for I want us to be thriving and I believe I can make that happen Lyon: Too many students are still not being successful Without lowering student standards we need to challenge ALL students and then have them leave every day excited to come in the next day While that sounds like a utopian answer we must aspire for greatness for all of our students We are still paying for the problems left from the pandemic shutdown We need to move away from the 24 hour reliance on digital media and embed substantive interpersonal dialogue in all classes Part of this challenge is finding the engaging teachers we want for all of our children During these days of teacher shortages it has become very difficult We need to address the housing and salaries concerns of incoming teachers I came to work in this district almost forty years ago and do not regret it Yeutson: Budgetary policies and procedures need some review and clarification Budgetary review needs to occur to see if we are attaining all of the potential grant or loan opportunities from both public and private entities It would be beneficial to provide a better communication website that explains some of the common state and federal mandated programs that the school district is required to follow property tax breakdown for each taxpayer are just a few informational website ideas that may require some initial research from the school district but could go a long way in the district becoming more transparent to the Galesburg school district taxpayers and parents A lot of attention has been pushed towards infrastructure and realigning the district’s assets over the past several years We need to ensure that we have reviewed sustainment repair and maintenance requirements for our facilities This is again information that provides buy-in for the community this is an area of huge growth that we can provide for our students and teachers Disciplinary actions within the district need a review for students While the number of incidents has diminished slightly this year The parents and teachers deserve a review of different options available then what is currently happening Students and teachers shouldn’t have to worry about their safety from student altercations The district needs to provide improved information on what they are doing to keep our kids safe Incumbent Mayor Peter Schwartzman squeaked out a win over his challenger John Pritchard in Tuesday's election earning him his second term in the seat According to the unofficial results from the Galesburg website while Pritchard raked in 2,455 -- earning Schwartzman the win by 378 votes The following results are for other contested races in Tuesday's election: * denotes the winner CUSD #205 Board Member-Remaining Congressional Townships Community College District #518 Board of Trustees The police chief in Galesburg was fired Monday, over two weeks after he was placed on paid administrative leave over what the city classified as an investigation into sexual harassment allegations Russell Idle was let go Monday by city manager Eric Hanson who said in a news release that his decision came after a two-week investigation into allegations that Idle had violated department policies on sexual harassment and discrimination with Deputy Chief Kevin Legate remaining as acting police chief until a permanent hire can be made "I am dedicated to ensuring the City of Galesburg and Galesburg Police Department consistently exemplify the highest level of professionalism in all aspects of our operation," Hanson said More: Peoria County sheriff: Elmwood man found dead after leaving scene of wreck Idle was put on administrative leave on March 6 for what the city called "a review of a personal matter," not specifying until Monday what the investigation was about. Idle, a 30-year veteran of the Galesburg Police Department became chief in 2019 after the retirement of David Christensen The process for a permanent hire as police chief has yet to be determined the heart of Galesburg shined a little brighter with the opening of its new state-of-the-art public library Located just blocks from the Knox College campus on West Main Street Galesburg’s new library is more than just a repository for books; it is a testament to the community's commitment to accessibility and life-long learning The modern facility replaces its 1961 predecessor offering amenities tailored to the needs of the Galesburg community president of the library’s Board of Trustees helped lead funding efforts for the new construction She pointed to the work of the Galesburg Public Library Foundation and the individual gifts as key reasons for its completion More than $4 million in donations helped cover what was needed after a state grant was awarded Alumni familiar with the old library will be amazed by the transformation and modern design of the new space Natural light pours through massive windows highlighting thoughtfully designed spaces like study rooms and dedicated areas for children and teens providing accessible technology to everyone Galesburg’s community remains at the core of this transformation The new facility features large meeting rooms and event spaces while outdoor seating and green spaces make the library a welcoming destination for all seasons a mural of Galesburg-centric photos is one of many local touches in design Knox College students and faculty have also found a resource in the library’s expanded archives and research support Funded through state grants and community donations the library sits as a proud landmark for alumni to explore when they return to visit and rediscover the stories of Galesburg’s vibrant community The South Lawn The 'Burg Print this article 309-341-7717 knoxmag@knox.edu Update Your Contact Info Contact Your Class Leadership Team Knox Magazine is published twice yearly by the Office of Communications Browse Past Issues News & Reviews News Wire Grant to Galesburg will help fund addition of rail service to business park Federal RAISE grant will support new agricultural intermodal facility — The city of Galesburg has received a $25 million federal grant to fund the addition of rail lines at Galesburg Business Park a 329-acre facility served by BNSF Railway The addition of spur tracks will support construction of an intermodal agricultural export facility by the DeLong Co. that will cover about 100 acres of the site. U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-Ill.) announced the grant under the Department of Transportation’s Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) grant program The project is expected to cost $54 million The project will allow rail movement to the West Coast for commodities bound for Asia saving about 4,000 miles over shipping via the Mississippi River and the Port of New Orleans “We are extremely grateful for the support of our legislators in making this project possible and are excited to finally see opportunities in the Galesburg Business Park expand through additional investment in strong rail infrastructure,” Galesburg City Manager Eric Hanson said in a city press release Design work will advance this year with construction beginning within two years Members enjoy 15% off any purchase in our store. Join Today Get updates and special offers via email from Trains.com brands