As the search for permanent city manager continues, the city of Galesburg has selected John Schlaf to serve in the interim.
Schlaf is a 39-year veteran of the Galesburg Police Department who served as chief for 17 years, honing 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 Peter Schwartzman in a release. “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.”
Schlaf served in the Air Force for six years and has a bachelor’s degree in law enforcement from Western Illinois University.
After retiring from the police department, Schlaf was the Director of Campus Safety for Knox College from 2006 to 2015. He has also been active in the community, serving on the Galesburg Downtown Council from 2005 to 2016, and the Knox County Mental Health Board from 2017 to the present.
A contract with Schlaf is expected to be on the agenda for the Sept. 5 city council meeting. If approved, he would begin working at city hall the next day.
Schlaf will step in as interim city manager Wayne Carl steps down and after a series of leadership changes for the city since the departure of Todd Thompson in May 2022.
"Please know that I am both honored and humbled by the appointment,” said Schlaf in a release. “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.”
Tri States Public Radio produced this story. TSPR relies on financial support from our readers and listeners in order to provide coverage of the issues that matter to west central Illinois, southeast Iowa, and northeast Missouri. As someone who values the content created by TSPR's news department please consider making a financial contribution.
