Galesburg Mayor Peter Schwartzman has chosen an interim City Manager and his contract could be on the September 5, 2023, City Council Agenda. Mayor Schwartzman announced John Schlaf as the Interim City Manager for Galesburg and his first day at City Hall could be September 6, 2023. Schlaf was employed with the Galesburg Police Department for 39 years, 17 of those years as Chief of Police. In his capacity as Police Chief, he honed expertise in public safety, city operations, budgeting, and municipal management.
“I am very happy to appoint John Schlaf to be our interim City Manager,” said Mayor Schwartzman. “He has a vast knowledge of our City having spent nearly all of his professional life serving in a variety of important positions. He has exhibited exemplary leadership skills while performing these duties. We very much look forward to his leadership during this transitional period.”
In addition to his time working for the City of Galesburg, Schlaf served in the United States Air Force for six years. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in law enforcement administration from Western Illinois University and also served on the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board from 1996 – 2020. After his retirement as Police Chief, Schlaf was the Director of Campus Safety for Knox College from 2006 – 2015. He has also been active in the community, serving on the Galesburg Downtown Council from 2005 – 2016, and Knox County Mental Health Board from 2017 – present.
“Please know that I am both honored and humbled by the appointment,” said John Schlaf. “I am excited as we move through the transition period with Mr. Wayne Carl, department heads, and staff in the days ahead and look forward to the opportunity to work with the Mayor and Council as we continue to move the City forward on all fronts.”
Schlaf is accepting the reins as the City of Galesburg’s top administrator after a series of changes in leadership since Todd Thompson departed in May of 2022 to accept the position of Rock Island City Manager. At that time, Wayne Carl served as the Interim City Manager until the hiring of Gerald Smith as City Manager in November 2022. In June 2023, the Galesburg City Council approved a separation agreement with Smith, and Steve Gugliotta served as acting City Manager until Wayne Carl was again hired in July 2023 to serve as Interim City Manager. Carl will continue to serve as the Interim City Manager through September 8, 2023, in order to further a smooth transition and provide a partial week of overlap and collaboration with Schlaf.
While Schlaf has been appointed to take the helm as Interim City Manager, the Galesburg City Council continues to work with GovHR for the recruitment and selection of a permanent City Manager. It is anticipated that the contract with Schlaf will be included on the Tuesday, September 5, 2023, City Council agenda. Upon approval, Schlaf will immediately begin service and continue in that role until a permanent City Manager has been selected and takes office.
