As journalists at WGIL, we’re here to tackle your questions about Galesburg. Send us your questions, and we’ll try to get to the heart of the story.
Question: What is the status of Knox County moving some of their offices into the former Wells Fargo Bank building downtown? I thought it was supposed to be open this year? — Jeff
WGIL reported in October 2024 that all non-judicial offices from the overcrowded Knox County Courthouse could relocate to the former Wells Fargo Bank building at 50 E. Main St. in Galesburg by spring 2025. At the time, Jared Hawkinson, chairman of the Knox County Board, said he was hopeful the offices of county clerk, recorder, collector, treasurer, and assessor would operate out of the building “sometime in the second quarter of 2025.”
Answer: Jared Hawkinson now says the project has stalled, and the move is not expected to happen until 2026.
Hawkinson tells WGIL, “I was hoping we’d be in the construction phase at this time, but I’m just one voice on the board. A couple of months ago, a majority of the board wanted to move forward with a separate construction manager instead of adding the building to the current performance contracting master plan for our other facilities.
“This month, we’ll be reviewing the bids returned for construction management. Once we get those reviewed and approved, hopefully this month, we’ll be able to take the next step for design.”
Asked about the timeline moving forward, Hawkinson said, “I’d just be shooting in the dark at this point, since we don’t have a construction manager. My guess would be the first or second quarter of 2026, but that’s my best guess.”
Hawkinson added that the building will host budget and committee meetings later this month due to ongoing construction near the annex on East Simmons Street.
Do you have a followup to this topic, or do you have another question about something happening around Galesburg? Email Jay Redfern at jayr@wgil.com.
