Galesburg Mayor Peter Schwartzman is accepting applications through Jan. 15 for the vacant Ward 3 City Council seat left open after Evan Miller stepped down at the end of December 2025.
Miller resigned because he moved outside Ward 3 boundaries. He made his announcement at the Dec. 15 Council meeting.
The appointment would run until May 2027, when the seat is up for election.
This is the second council vacancy in less than six months. In August 2025, Schwartzman used a similar application process to fill a Ward 1 seat after Bradley Hix stepped down because he moved outside Ward 1 boundaries. Angelica Mangieri was appointed in September.
Schwartzman has released an application questionnaire for interested candidates. Residents can check if they live in Ward 3 using the interactive map on the city’s website.
Applicants must submit responses by 10 p.m. Jan. 15 to pschwart@ci.galesburg.il.us.
The questionnaire asks candidates:
- Why do you want to serve in this position?
- How many hours per week do you anticipate dedicating to the role of Councilor of Ward 3? In what capacity?
- What strengths do you bring to the position?
- What do you anticipate being your three principal areas of focus as a City Councilor?
- What community work have you been involved with in the past five years? Please list your activities (with time commitment and duration of service in parentheses).
- This appointment may receive scrutiny from the media or the public who may try to investigate your personal history. Is there anything in your background/history that would be considered controversial or embarrassing if these parties were to find and publicize this information? (If you wish to answer this over the phone, please call me at 309-877-1988.)
- Scenario: Galesburg owns and operates its own water system. What are the key improvements that the City should make to this system?
Schwartzman will review applications and nominate a candidate. Council members will then have a week to reach out to the nominee before a vote.
To apply or for more information, contact Mayor Schwartzman at pschwart@ci.galesburg.il.us or (309) 877-1988.
