Legal Department

The Legal Department is the City's law office, and the City Attorney serves as the City's chief legal advisor, including: 

  • Represent the City in court and in other legal matters
  • Provide legal advice to the City Manager and City staff
  • Write and review city ordinances, resolutions, and contracts
  • Handle city ticket cases, like parking tickets and property violations
The City Attorney represents the City and can't give legal advice or representation to the public.


Tickets & Violations

Galesburg handles most city ticket cases through administrative hearings. This means a hearing officer, not a judge in a courtroom, decides your case. The process is faster and simpler than court.

Cases handled this way include:
  • Building, zoning, and nuisance violations (like tall grass)
  • Animal control tickets
  • Vehicle impound hearings
  • Police-issued tickets, such as parking, disorderly conduct, public intoxication, underage drinking, and truancy
Your ticket or notice will show:
  • The date, time, and place of the violation
  • The ordinance (city law) that was broken
  • Your first appearance date
Keep it. You will need it to pay, to contact us, or to come to your hearing.

Your options 
  1. Pay the ticket. If you have a ticket, you can pay it before your hearing date. You don't have to come to City Hall for a hearing. See "Where do I pay?" below.
  2. Fix the problem. If you got a notice of violation (a notice that something needs to be fixed), you can settle it without a hearing. Do these three things before your hearing date:
    1. Fix the problem.
    2. Call the staff member listed on your notice to confirm it was fixed.
    3. Pay the associated settlement/fine amount, if there is one.
  3. Go to your hearing. If you think the ticket is wrong, you have the right to tell your side to the hearing officer. Come to the date, time, and place on your ticket.

Administrative Ticket & Violation FAQs

You can pay for tickets that go through hearings in any of these ways:

  1. In person: Finance counter, first floor of City Hall, 55 W. Tompkins Street

  2. Drop box: In front of City Hall

  3. By mail: Galesburg City Hall, 55 West Tompkins Street, PO Box 1387, Galesburg, IL 61401

  4. By phone: 309-345-3663

Please include a copy of your ticket or write the ticket number on your check so your payment goes to the right account.
Come to the hearing listed on your ticket. Say you want a hearing (in legal terms, you are pleading "not guilty"). Hearings are held twice a month at 9:00 a.m. in City Hall, 55 W. Tompkins Street. Questions? Call 309-345-3628.
Not if the inspector confirms it. Before the deadline on your notice, call the inspector listed on it. If they check and agree the problem is fixed, you don't need to come.
A notice of violation should list a City staff member's name and phone number on page 2. Call that person. If your paper doesn't list anyone, call the Legal Department at 309-345-3628.
If you do not pay your ticket prior to the deadline listed on your ticket or notice of violation, and you do not attend the hearing, you will likely be found guilty by default.  You will owe the original fine amount, plus a $25 administrative fee and have 35 days from the original hearing date to pay.  If you still do not pay, your debt will be sent to collections.
No. You can speak for yourself. You are allowed to hire a lawyer, at your own cost, if you want one.

Administrative Hearing Information

When: Twice a month, on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, at 9 a.m. 

Where: Council Chambers, Galesburg City Hall, 55 West Tompkins Street

Arrive at least 15 minutes early. You need time to park and check in with the clerk. If you aren't checked in and in the room by 9 a.m., you may be ruled a "no-show". The hearing officer and his clerk decide the order cases are called. Your case may not be first.

Who is the hearing officer? The hearing officer is an attorney from outside the City, not a City employee. They must be fair to both sides.

Courtroom rules
  • Silence your phone before you come in.
  • No recording (audio or video).
  • No food, drinks, or gum.
  • Speak clearly and respectfully to the hearing officer, and don't interrupt. People who are disruptive will be removed. If that happens, the case is decided against them.
  • If you don't come to your hearing, the hearing will go on without you. The hearing officer will decide the case, and you may have to pay fines and penalties. 
If you are challenging your violation, you will be scheduled for a trial. Administrative trials are different from courthouse proceedings.  Here's what to expect:
  • The City goes first. A City attorney or staff member explains why the ticket was issued. You can ask questions of anyone who speaks for the City, or any witnesses they might call.
  • Then it's your turn. Tell your side. You can speak for yourself or hire a lawyer. You can also bring proof, such as photos, receipts, bills, or witnesses. The City can ask your witnesses questions too. The court keeps any papers or photos you turn in.
  • The hearing officer will then decide if it is more likely than not that the violation happened.
  • If yes, you are found responsible. The hearing officer then decides next steps, like a fine or a deadline to fix the problem.
  • If no, the case is dismissed.
If you disagree with the decision: The hearing officer's decision is final unless you appeal. Either side has 35 days to appeal to the Circuit Court of Knox County. (Law: Illinois Administrative Review Law, 735 ILCS 5/3-101 and following.)

Other Legal Resources

City Code
The City Code is the book of all Galesburg ordinances. Read it online (Galesburg Municipal Code), or ask to see a copy at the City Clerk's Office, 55 W. Tompkins Street.
Finding a Lawyer
The City can't give you legal advice, but these groups may help:
Prairie State Legal Galesburg Office
311 E. Main Street, Suite 302
Galesburg, IL 61401
(309) 343-2141 or (800) 331-0617

Illinois Justice Corps
200 S. Cherry St
Galesburg, IL
(309) 323-0220

Public Records Requests (FOIA)
Want a copy of a City record? Requests go through the City Clerk's Office. FOIA Request Information & Portal
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  • Appearance of Counsel
  • Motion to Set Aside Default Judgment