Knox County officials have agreed to consider reducing the speed limit from 45 mph to 35 mph on South Lake Storey Road from North Henderson Street west to the Galesburg city limits, following recommendations from the city’s Traffic Advisory Committee and a resident petition spurred by a fatal November 2025 crash.
The committee’s January 2026 report cites speed data collected Dec. 29, 2025, to Jan. 5, 2026, showing an 85th percentile speed of 48 mph between Woodblock Road and Buckingham Road, with 30.5% of 3,216 vehicles exceeding 45 mph.
The change would create consistency along the county highway, especially with a Lake Storey Park shared-use path set for completion this year.
Galesburg Public Works Director Aaron Gavin met with the Knox County engineer Jan. 9, who agreed to bring the proposal to the county board; Galesburg would then adopt a matching ordinance for uniform enforcement.
Resident Petition Follows Fatal Crash
Janine Glass of Wataga, sister of crash victim Marte Glass, presented a petition with 40 signatures—primarily from homeowners along the affected stretch and users of Allison Campground—to the Galesburg City Council on Tuesday, Jan. 20.
The petition calls for a drop to 35 mph from Henderson Street to the Allison Campground entrance, then 25 mph on the curves beyond.
“I’m not saying a lower speed limit would bring my sister back, but it might have helped,” Glass told WGIL after Tuesday’s meeting.
In her statement to council, Glass described the road as winding and hilly, noting challenges for campers exiting the campground and young drivers heading to Carl Sandburg College.
She said: “I am lobbying to reduce the speed limit on the road for the safety and well being of the people utilizing it. I do not want to see other senseless automobile accidents occur on this road. Reducing the speed limit could greatly reduce the incidence of needless accidents that occur from vehicles traveling too fast.”
Three other residents echoed support during public comment.
Officials Support Cooperative Change
City Manager Eric Hanson told council the road falls under county jurisdiction, requiring cooperation, but confirmed discussions are underway and the county intends to recommend the reduction.
He noted the Lake Storey walking trail project will remove obstructions for better sight lines near the campground.
“Staff is aware and intends to make some recommendations to council that I think should alleviate some or most of the concerns in conjunction with the county’s assistance,” Hanson said.
Seventh Ward Alderman Steve Cheesman voiced full support of the reduction in speed limit, emphasizing safety amid traffic and drivers in the area.
“Anything we can do to make this safer … it’s another accident waiting to happen,” Cheesman said.
Hanson added a multifaceted approach, including additional speed monitoring and targeted enforcement by police, without specifics.
Crash Involved Impaired Driver
The push follows a Nov. 22, 2025, head-on crash in the 1300 block of South Lake Storey Road—near the Allison Campground entrance—that killed Major Marte Lynn Glass, 72, a Galesburg native and lifelong registered nurse who served 26 years in the Army Reserve, achieving the rank of major.
Glass died Nov. 30 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria after sustaining severe injuries, including a fractured cervical spine.
The other driver was arrested on charges including reckless homicide and aggravated DUI; preliminary tests showed methamphetamine and cannabis in her system.
She pleaded not guilty Jan. 14, with a pretrial conference set for March 2.
The investigation continues.
Local impacts include improved safety for residents entering/exiting homes, campers at Allison Campground, and student traffic near Carl Sandburg College.
The committee’s report notes the road is straight for about 3,400 feet west of Henderson, but curves and hills follow.
A 1996 ordinance set the current limits, which the proposal aims to update.
No timeline has been set for the Knox County Board’s vote on the speed limit reduction, but approval would trigger a matching city ordinance.
