Frequently Asked Questions

How can the City Clerk's Office help you today?  Select a topic below to learn more.

Yes, as long as they are kept at least 15 feet from the adjoining property line, and confined in a coop. Click the link below to read more.
 § 90.017  FOWL

No. The City of Galesburg does not issue general business licenses, with the exception of specific trades such as contractors (General, HVAC, Tree, etc.).

Note: Sole Proprietorships and General Partnerships using a business name other than the owner's legal name must register with the Knox County Clerk’s Office. Learn more here.

Licensing & Qualification Requirements in Galesburg

To operate Video Gaming Terminals (VGTs) in Galesburg, business owners must navigate a strict multi-step licensing process:

  • Step 1: Specific On-Premises Liquor License: Hold a local and state liquor license permitting on-premises alcohol consumption. Galesburg limits eligibility mainly to designated restaurant and tavern classifications, which are subject to local license caps.
  • Step 2: State Gaming License: Apply for a video gaming establishment license through the State of Illinois. This requires owner background checks, fingerprinting, and location compliance.
  • Step 3: Galesburg Local Registration: File your state license with the City Clerk and pay an annual fee of $300 per terminal (up to six machines).

Establishment Restrictions

  • Establishment Definitions & No Gaming Parlors: Galesburg prohibits standalone gaming parlors under the Municipal Code. Video gaming is permitted only as an incidental secondary use to primary food and beverage operations.
  • Age & Monitoring Rules: Gaming areas are restricted to individuals 21 and older and must remain under continuous video surveillance.
You likely received this letter because your dog or cat was recently vaccinated for rabies. Galesburg guidelines require residents to register dogs and cats (aged 6 months or older) with the City Clerk within 15 days of vaccination. 

Here are the quick requirements to keep in mind:

Annual Fees: $20 for altered pets (green tag) and $30 for unaltered pets (red tag). Fees are waived for altered service animals (registration is still required).

Rabies Tag: You must obtain an official Knox County rabies tag through Knox County Animal Control.

  • Please note the distinction between tags: the city tag will say "Galesburg, IL," while the rabies tag will be stamped "Knox County Dog/Cat Rabies."

Tag Display: The city tag must be displayed on your pet's collar or harness, unless they are microchipped.

To request information about property liens or outstanding code violations in the City of Galesburg, submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the City Clerk’s office.

How to Request Records:

  • Submit a FOIA Request: The City Clerk processes requests for municipal records, including code enforcement violations, unpaid fines, and property liens.
  • Access the Form: Visit the City Clerk department section on the City of Galesburg website to access the online request form, or go directly to the City Clerk's FOIA Request Page.
  • Provide Necessary Details: Include the specific property address, Property Index Number (PIN) if known, and the timeframe or types of records requested.
You can search plot locations, burial dates, and grave details using the interactive online cemetery database. For historical inquiries, genealogy research, or assistance locating a plot on-site, contact the City Clerk’s office directly.

We welcome and value the input of our Galesburg residents! City Council meetings are open to the public, and community members are encouraged to attend and share their thoughts. Public participation is permitted during the designated Public Comment portion of each meeting, including Special meetings, Commission meetings, and Public Hearings.

To ensure everyone has an opportunity to be heard and meetings run smoothly, please keep the following guidelines in mind:

  • Speakers must be called upon by the Mayor before addressing the Council. Please state your name for the record before beginning your comments and share any supporting documents directly with the City Clerk.
  • Remarks should pertain to official City business. Individual comments during public comment periods are limited to three minutes per speaker.
  • If you are attending with a group of residents sharing a common topic, we encourage you to designate a representative speaker to consolidate your comments.
  • To maintain a constructive and respectful atmosphere for all participants, speakers should avoid personal attacks or debates. Audience members are asked to refrain from cheering, applauding, or booing during or after remarks.

Regular City Council meetings take place at 6:00 p.m. on the first and third Mondays of each month in the Council Chambers at City Hall. We look forward to hearing from you and working together for the future of Galesburg!

We want to make it as quick and simple as possible for you to help keep Galesburg safe, clean, and beautiful!

If you notice property concerns in your neighborhood—such as grass or weeds over 12 inches tall, uncontained trash and debris, inoperable vehicles, or dangerous structures—you can easily file a report with our Property Compliance Division. The fastest way to submit a complaint is online through our Public Service Request Portal.

You can also reach out directly to Code Compliance Supervisor Eric Heiden by phone or via the Community Development Contact Page, or stop by in person at the Community Development counter on the second floor of City Hall.

Every submission is promptly reviewed by our officers, and we truly appreciate your partnership in maintaining a community we can all be proud of.

Yes. Under Chapter 111 of the Galesburg Municipal Code, commercial solicitors must pass a background check with the City Clerk and Galesburg Police Department. Approved solicitors are issued a official City ID badge, which they must wear and display at all times while soliciting.

What hours are solicitors allowed to operate?

Door-to-door solicitation and peddling are strictly limited to 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

What rules must solicitors follow?

Solicitors cannot use deceptive practices, claim to represent the City of Galesburg or local public utilities, or remain on your property after being asked to leave.

How can I prevent solicitors from coming to my home?

Displaying a clear "No Solicitors" or "No Peddlers" sign at your main entrance legally prohibits representatives from knocking on your door or ringing your doorbell.

What should I do if a solicitor breaks the rules?

You are under no obligation to open the door. If a solicitor lacks a city-issued ID badge, operates outside permitted hours, or ignores a posted sign, contact the City Clerk at 309-345-3600 or the non-emergency police line at 309-343-4181.

Residents can determine their Ward and City Council Member using the resources provided on the city website:

  • Search by Address: Enter your residential address into the interactive Ward Map available on the Galesburg Open Data GIS Portal.
  • City Council Directory: Galesburg is divided into 7 Wards, each represented by a dedicated Council Member. Once you know your Ward, you can access your representative's direct contact information and meeting schedules on the Mayor & City Council Page or through the City of Galesburg Directory.
  • Contact the Clerk’s Office: If you prefer direct assistance, call the City Clerk’s office at 309/345-3610 or the Election Office at 309/345-5706 to have a staff member look up your Ward and Council Member for you.