A lifelong south-side Galesburg resident who was born and raised in Ward 3 will now represent the ward on the City Council.
The Galesburg City Council unanimously approved Charles “Chuck” Reynolds as the new Ward 3 alderman Monday night by a 6-0 vote.
Reynolds was nominated by Mayor Peter Schwartzman to fill the vacancy created when Ward 3 Alderman Evan Miller resigned on Dec. 15, 2025, after moving outside the ward boundaries.
Reynolds, who did not attend Monday’s meeting, later told WGIL, “I am grateful for Mayor Schwartzman’s nomination and happy that the city council approved me to fill the vacancy. I look forward to representing the third ward.”
A graduate of Galesburg High School and attendee at Carl Sandburg College, Reynolds worked for decades at Azer Clinic and currently works for RFMS. He has served on boards including the Hispanic Resource Group and United Way, and has volunteered with many organizations, including the Community Arts Center.
Following the meeting, Schwartzman told WGIL he chose Reynolds because of his long-term residency on the south side, his community involvement, and his previous efforts to serve on the council.
“I’ve seen him in the community quite a bit over my time,” Schwartzman said. “I know his wife quite well — she’s a professor. I found him an outstanding citizen… He’s previously made efforts to have this position over a decade, and I know he lost a very narrow vote as a write-in candidate. I think the people in his ward support him.”
Schwartzman noted he was disappointed that only three people applied but felt the quality of the candidates was strong.
“I thought the pool was pretty good,” he said. “I wish maybe the applicants had taken the application process a little bit more seriously in a couple instances. Because that’s what I’m going on… you put the effort into the language and the wording. I thought that all three of them could have served.”
He added that Ward 3 has historically had lower voter engagement compared to other wards.
“Historically, that ward hasn’t been as engaged as some others in terms of voting,” Schwartzman said. “Hopefully this gets their attention and there’ll be a strong candidate pool to run through that position for the next few years.”
Schwartzman also commented on improving council dynamics.
“Despite the tensions in the country, I think locally tensions have been allayed,” he said. “I give (City Manager) Eric Hanson a lot of credit for that… I think our council now, I can see them talking to each other across party lines… I appreciate that a lot.”
To a new council member, Schwartzman offered this advice: “Look to the other councilors who’ve been there a little longer than you and talk to them. Don’t hesitate — if there’s something confusing, ask.”
Reynolds will serve the remainder of Miller’s term, which ends in spring 2027. A full election for the seat will be held in April 2027.
This is the second time in six months the mayor has nominated a replacement alderman. In September 2025, he nominated Angelica Mangieri for the Ward 1 seat vacated by Bradley Hix, who also resigned after moving outside ward boundaries. Mangieri was subsequently approved by the council.
