GALESBURG The first court date for a Galesburg city council member on a methamphetamine possession charge has been scheduled.
Lindsay M. Hillery, 42, Day Street, who has represented Ward 3 since 2019, is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on June 14 at the Knox County Courthouse.
The charge, possession of methamphetamine under 5 grams, is a class three felony and stems from an arrest Friday following a traffic stop.
According to a Galesburg police report, Hillery was arrested during the stop after officers found .9 grams of methamphetamine in a pack of cigarettes in her purse.
Hillery was arrested a second time days later, on Sunday, for domestic battery following an incident at a local bar, The Store, 497 E. Berrien St. That domestic battery charge has been dropped.
Roundtable: What about council s opposition to mayor s nominee?
Galesburg Register-Mail
Not convinced Smith-Esters is best for Ward 5
I don’t know the qualifications of Jaclyn Smith-Esters, so I can’t really say too much. However, listening to Peter Schwartzman’s reasoning as to why he selected her, wasn’t enough for me. There are people in Ward 5 who are very passionate about getting involved. I believe Kristine Crow is in Ward 5, and she’s very qualified. Instead of aldermen focusing on the city as a whole, focus on your ward and maybe we can see better progress. We need people who are familiar with their neighborhoods. Dwight White grew up in the 4th Ward, which I’m also very familiar with. It’s been neglected too long and know he will press for change. Sarah Davis is new but passionate.
May 3, 2021
Jaclyn Smith Esters had been chosen by now Mayor Peter Schwartzman as his replacement as 5th Ward Alderman. But on Monday four council members derailed that pick- at least temporarily.
The four council members that endorsed former Mayor John Pritchard’s re-election; Bradley Hix, Wayne Dennis, Lindsay Hillery voted no while Larry Cox abstained. In the case of an abstention, a vote counts with the prevailing side, so Smith-Esters appointment was defeated 2-4.
After voting the appointment down, and some confusion on how to proceed, the entire council voted to table the nomination until May 17.
No Aldermen gave any stated reason for opposing Smith-Esters.
May 3, 2021
Peter Schwartzman along with new City Council members, Dwight White and Sarah Davis, will take the oath of office just before tonight’s meeting. Also, Monday, May 3rd, will see returning Alderman Wayne Dennis and City Clerk Kelli Bennewitz sworn into new terms. 9th Circuit Judge Raymond Cavanaugh is expected to administer the oaths. Schwartzman moved to Galesburg in 1998 to launch Knox College’s Environmental Studies program, shortly after earning his Ph.D. Since then he’s helped to start three Galesburg-focused non-profits, operated a community center for 3 years, wrote a book, started a podcast, and spent a decade on the city council. Galesburg Public Library Foundation recognized these efforts by awarding him the Mike Kroll Community Service Award in 2019. There was also be a reception beginning at 5 p.m. tonight, prior to the meeting that will honor the outgoing mayor and council members. John Pritchard, Wayne Allen, and Corine Andersen represent a collecti
May 3, 2021
Galesburg Mayor-elect Peter Schwartzman says he intends to appoint Jaclyn Smith Esters as his replacement on the City Council.
Schwartzman says he’s recommending Smith-Esters for the last two years of his term as Ward 5 Councilmember in a letter addressed to the City Council included in Monday’s meeting packet.
Smith-Esters was the first candidate to announce a run in the Galesburg 2021 Mayoral race but dropped out before Election Day.
She was going into Election Day as a write-in candidate, but then dropped out and endorsed Schwartzman. Smith-Esters explained to WGIL at the time, she feared her candidacy would pull votes from Schwartzman, and cause John Pritchard to be re-elected.