The City of Galesburg continues to closely monitor developments regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19), including information from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Illinois Department of Public Health. As recommended precautions and mandates from the state have and will likely continue to affect the City of Galesburg’s typical operating procedures, comprehensive information is provided below on changes to City services, events, and policies. As new information is continually arising, this information is subject to change and will be updated as promptly as possible as changes are made.
City Facilities
City of Galesburg facilities, including Galesburg City Hall, will be closed to the public, effective March 19 – May 31, 2020. City employees will continue to be available via phone or email. The lobby of the Galesburg Public Safety Building will remain open between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday – Friday, for emergency purposes but public access is limited to situations which cannot be addressed via phone or email.
Staff contact information can be found in the staff directory and below.
Administration: 309-345-3628 or administration@ci.galesburg.il.us
City Clerk’s Office: 309-345-3610 or kbennewi@ci.galesburg.il.us
Community Development: 309-345-3619 or steveg@ci.galesburg.il.us
Elections Office: 309-342-5563 or lwatson@ci.galesburg.il.us
Finance: 309-345-3663 or customer@ci.galesburg.il.us
Fire Department: 309-345-3756 or FireDept@ci.galesburg.il.us **If it is an emergency, call 911**
Parks and Recreation: 309-345-3683 or recinfo@ci.galesburg.il.us
Police Department: 309-343-9151 **If it is an emergency, call 911**
Public Works: 309-345-3623 or publicworks@ci.galesburg.il.us
Utility Bill Payment
- Online – https://galesburg.merchanttransact.com/
- Over the phone – please call 309-345-3663 with your credit or debit card and account information
- Drop-box – checks and/or money order can be left in the drop-box in front of City Hall, 55 W. Tompkins Street. Money orders can be purchased at local banks, Wal-Mart, Hy-Vee and the Galesburg Post Office.
- Auto-pay – automatic withdrawal from checking or savings account on the due date. If not already signed up for this service, please call 309-345-3663 to discuss this option.
- Payment of other items, such as City ordinance tickets can also be made utilizing the drop-box or phone methods listed above.
To request starting or discontinuing water, sewer, and refuse services, call 309-345-3663.
Water shut-offs due to non-payment have currently been ceased.
Other city payments, such as registration fees, permit fees, etc. can also be processed over the phone by call the corresponding department. Department contact information can be found online at:https://www.ci.galesburg.il.us/directory/
Parks and Recreation
All programs have been canceled through May 31, 2020, with the exception of virtual programs.
Parks and Recreation facilities are closed to the public, March 19 – May 31, 2020. This includes: Lake Storey Pavilion, Hawthorne Pool and Gym, Lakeside Recreation Center, and Allison Campground. All City basketball courts, tennis courts, and playgrounds, including the playground at Lombard Middle School, are closed until further notice. The Connie Nott Dog Park is also closed until further notice.
City of Galesburg Parks continue to be open for activities such as walking or boating, as long as social distancing guidelines are observed.
Beginning May 1, Bunker Links Golf Course will be open to the public, with restrictions. More information is available on the Bunker Links page.
City Services – Transportation
Currently, Galesburg Transit buses are continuing to operate as normally scheduled. Handivan is in operation for Handivan clients only for the purposes of medical, employment and nutritional. Individuals who are ill or display symptoms of COVID-19 should not utilize public transportation, such as Galesburg Transit or Handivan.
City Services – Refuse
At this time, the City’s contractor, Waste Management, continues to operate for solid waste and recycling pick-up as normally scheduled. However, Waste Management is not picking up any large/oversized items at the curb at this time. All Waste Management sites, including the Galesburg recycling drop-off site located at 1360 S. Henderson Street, are currently closed to public access. The paint recycling drop-off program will begin in June, instead of May. The oversized brush and limb drop-off site, located at 636 Pickard Road is open, as typically scheduled.
Public Meetings
City Council meetings continue to be open to the public; however, residents are encouraged to participate by watching meetings remotely on Comcast Channel 7 or online at:https://www.ci.galesburg.il.us/agendas_minutes/galesburg_streaming_video/ Agendas for all City boards and commissions will continue to be posted on the City’s website in accordance with the Open Meetings Act. Meetings have the potential to be canceled and will be noted as such on the City’s website.
Purchasing
Bid openings will be closed to vendors and the public. This closed procedure for bid openings may be continued further into the future, dependent on circumstances, and information updated accordingly.
Notice to Appear
Administrative Adjudication hearings for City ordinance violations have been canceled through May 31, 2020. Respondents will receive correspondence rescheduling their appearance date.
Essential Services – Fire, Police, Water
The City continues to follow state and national guidance and utilize best practices to ensure the essential services that citizens count on the City to provide, such as Police and Fire protection and water services, will continue to be available.
- The police department will continue to provide all essential police services.
- Citizens are encouraged to limit non-essential calls in an effort to keep officers healthy.
- Not in progress calls that do not involve a threat to safety or property may be handled by the officer over the phone.
For more informationYou can keep up to date by frequently checking the City’s website for updates, as well as following the City of Galesburg, IL Government and the Knox County Alert Network on Facebook. Links to additional resources are provided below.
City of Galesburg COVID-19 Updates
Center for Disease Control & Prevention
State of Illinois COVID-19 Response
***Report Courtesy of the City of Galesburg***
