Bradley Hix, Galesburg’s longest-serving alderman and Ward 1 representative since 2019, will leave the City Council at the end of August due to a move just outside city limits.
He announced his departure during closing remarks at Monday’s meeting, reflecting on his tenure that began with a 2019 victory over Angela Bastian, followed by a 2023 re-election win against Champ Coleman.
Hix told WGIL, “My wife Ann and I are moving outside the boundaries of the first ward, and thus, I need to step down. We’ll still be in Knox County, just not within the city limits. I would prefer to stay on the Council when you outside of the district you represent, the right thing to do is let someone else take over.
“I’ve enjoyed serving, and I’ve really enjoyed working with my colleagues. It’s disappointing, but I have to move on instead of pretending to live someplace that I don’t.”
His resignation is set for Aug. 31.
Mayor Peter Schwartzman will appoint Hix’s successor, following the process used in 2021 to replace Jaclyn Smith-Esters in Ward 5 after Schwartzman’s mayoral win.
City Clerk Kelli Bennewitz outlined the Council member replacement procedure: The mayor has 60 days from the vacancy to nominate a candidate, which the council must approve within 30 days. If the first nomination fails, a second candidate is proposed, with another 30-day approval window. Should both fail, the mayor can make a temporary appointment from the two nominees, serving until council approval or the next election, whichever comes first.
Hix, who said he will miss the camaraderie of solving city issues with council members, described the ideal alderman as having a “servant’s heart,” community commitment, and responsiveness to constituents.
With Hix’s departure, Fourth Ward Alderman Dwight White, elected in 2021 and re-elected in April against Corine Andersen, becomes the senior council member.
