Galesburg City Council Unanimously Approves Chuck Reynolds as Ward 3 Alderman

Reynolds, a lifelong south-side resident, will fill vacancy left by Evan Miller's resignation.

Feb. 3, 2026 at 3:31am

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The Galesburg City Council unanimously approved Charles 'Chuck' Reynolds as the new Ward 3 alderman on Monday night, filling the vacancy created by Evan Miller's resignation in December 2025. Reynolds, a lifelong south-side resident who has been involved in the community, was nominated by Mayor Peter Schwartzman and will serve the remainder of Miller's term until spring 2027.

Why it matters

The appointment of a new alderman is an important local political event, as it ensures Ward 3 has representation on the city council. Schwartzman noted that Ward 3 has historically had lower voter engagement compared to other wards, so this appointment could help increase attention and participation from residents in that area.

The details

Reynolds, who did not attend Monday's meeting, was unanimously approved by a 6-0 city council vote. He is a graduate of Galesburg High School and Carl Sandburg College, and has worked at Azer Clinic and RFMS. Reynolds has also served on boards like the Hispanic Resource Group and United Way, and volunteered with many local organizations.

  • On December 15, 2025, Ward 3 Alderman Evan Miller resigned after moving outside the ward boundaries.
  • On February 2, 2026, the Galesburg City Council unanimously approved Chuck Reynolds as the new Ward 3 alderman.

The players

Chuck Reynolds

A lifelong south-side Galesburg resident who was nominated by Mayor Peter Schwartzman to fill the Ward 3 alderman vacancy.

Peter Schwartzman

The mayor of Galesburg who nominated Chuck Reynolds to fill the Ward 3 alderman vacancy.

Evan Miller

The former Ward 3 alderman who resigned in December 2025 after moving outside the ward boundaries.

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What they’re saying

“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.”

— Chuck Reynolds

“I've seen him in the community quite a bit over my time. 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.”

— Peter Schwartzman, Mayor

“Despite the tensions in the country, I think locally tensions have been allayed. 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.”

— Peter Schwartzman, Mayor

What’s next

Reynolds will serve the remainder of Evan Miller's term, which ends in spring 2027. A full election for the Ward 3 seat will be held in April 2027.

The takeaway

The unanimous approval of Chuck Reynolds as the new Ward 3 alderman highlights the importance of local political representation and community involvement. Reynolds' long-standing ties to the south-side neighborhood and past efforts to serve on the council suggest he has the support of his constituents, which could help increase engagement in an area that has historically seen lower voter turnout.