Galesburg Mayor Peter Schwartzman said Monday night that he wants everyone in Galesburg to be housed by 2026, calling the issue a priority after a recent, personal encounter with homelessness.
Schwartzman grew noticeably emotional as he described meeting a homeless couple who had been sleeping on the steps of a local church. Seeing the situation “face to face,” he said, was eye-opening and reinforced the need for action. He declared it a goal for everyone in Galesburg to be housed in 2026.
The comments came during a City Council meeting that also included action related to housing, as members unanimously approved revisions to the Local Housing Repair Assistance Program.
Under the changes, eligibility for the three-year-old program will be expanded to include property-registered, rental-occupied single-family homes. The maximum grant amount will increase to $5,000, and exterior improvements such as painting and siding repair will be added to the list of eligible repairs.
The city’s 2026 budget includes $150,000 for the program.
Earlier in the meeting, the council learned it will again have a vacancy following the resignation of Evan Miller, Third Ward, who announced during closing comments that he is moving outside city limits.
Miller, elected in 2023 after defeating incumbent Kevin Wallace, said that having grown up on a farm, “it’s time for me to move into the country.” A replacement will first be chosen by Schwartzman and then voted on by the council.
This marks the third time Schwartzman has faced a council vacancy, following resignations in 2021 and earlier in 2025.
Miller thanked the mayor and council for the opportunity to serve.
Before the start of city business, Schwartzman read a proclamation honoring Sgt. Byron Baird, who was seriously injured while serving in Afghanistan on April 26, 2010, when a bomb exploded under his vehicle.
Baird suffered long-term injuries, including the loss of 80 percent of his hearing. Despite this, he returned to active duty and was wounded a second time. He was awarded the Purple Heart.
Baird specialized in clearing minefields, and during the ceremony, state Rep. Daniel Swanson presented Baird — who attended with his family — an Illinois flag that had flown over the state Capitol in Springfield.
Schwartzman noted that many service members in Iraq and Afghanistan were injured by improvised explosive devices and said Baird stated at age 18 that he wanted “to protect soldiers and save lives” by performing dangerous duty.
Baird did not speak during the ceremony but received an extended standing ovation.
All council members were present and voted unanimously, 7-0, to approve several measures, including the purchase of fill and patch materials for the Street, Water and Parks divisions for 2026; the city’s 2026 public meeting calendar; and a resolution abating property taxes on several general obligation bonds issued between 2013 and 2023.
Payments on those bonds are covered by other sources, eliminating the need to raise property taxes for that purpose.
The council also approved a contract with JIMAX Corp. of Peoria for emergency demolition services in 2026. City Manager Eric Hanson said the contract allows the city to respond quickly following major incidents such as fires while controlling costs.
Additional approvals included a $35,630 bid from Unlimited Sports Solutions of Waverly, Nebraska, for new dugouts at the baseball field at H.T. Custer Park, funded through the Community Improvement Fund, and a $60,000 bid from Heritage Tractor of Galesburg for a John Deere compact tractor for the Golf Division, replacing a 2007 model.
The council approved a switch in health insurance providers, moving from Blue Cross Blue Shield to United Medical Resources, Star-Rx Pharmacy Service Agreement and HCC Life Insurance Co. for stop-loss coverage.
Hanson said the change will provide similar coverage while saving the city an estimated $881,000. Schwartzman thanked the city’s finance department for its work, calling the savings significant.
Council members approved a letter of commitment with the Illinois Department of Transportation in which the city will cover all costs associated with the Lake Storey Path project, including work related to the U.S. 150 bridge.
During closing comments, council members reflected on community issues and gratitude.
Dwight White, Fourth Ward, encouraged kindness and empathy. Heather Acerra, Fifth Ward, expressed excitement for the Lake Storey Path and H.T. Custer Park projects. Greg Saul, Sixth Ward, remembered his late father, who was wounded during World War II.
Steve Cheesman, Seventh Ward, recognized the recent deaths of Marte Glass and Jordan Ball and expressed appreciation for local cold-weather resources for people experiencing homelessness. Angelica Mangieri, First Ward, shared details of an upcoming free holiday event at All-Stars Sports Academy, and Wendel Hunigan, Second Ward, thanked Baird for his service.
All members also thanked city staff and fellow council members for their work in 2025.
