Allegations of sexual harassment against Police Chief Russ Idle prompted the city of Galesburg to place the 30-year veteran of the staff on paid administrative leave, according to documents obtained Friday by WGIL.
A notice of formal investigation and interrogation that was sent to Idle, and obtained Friday through a Freedom of Information Act request, laid out 11 allegations of sexual harassment against Idle that spanned between 2005 and as recently as this month. Five of the allegations were observed by witnesses. Names of victims were redacted from the documentation received by WGIL. The allegations appeared to be verbal in nature.
Idle, when contacted Friday evening, said, “At this point because it’s still ongoing, my response is very simple: I completely deny the allegations. They are not true and I look forward to the process playing out, and the truth coming out. Unfortunately, that’s all I’m allowed to say.”
Idle, who has been on paid administrative leave from the department since March 6, appeared before city legal counsel and the director of human resources at a formal interrogation Friday at Galesburg City Hall.
A statement issued to WGIL late Friday afternoon from Galesburg City Clerk and FOIA Officer Kelli Bennewitz reads:
“The City of Galesburg placed Police Chief Russell Idle on paid administrative leave on Thursday, March 6, 2025, pending the outcome of a formal internal investigation into allegations of violations of the City’s sexual harassment and discrimination policies. The City has fulfilled all Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests in compliance with applicable legal requirements. The investigative phase of the internal investigation is complete, and it is anticipated that the investigation will conclude within a week. No further information will be released, as this is a personnel matter.”
The nature of the formal investigation involves alleged violations of Section 1.07 of the Personnel Policy for Exempt and Non-Represented Personnel titled “Sexual Harassment Policy” and Section 1.08 of the Personnel Policy for Exempt and Non-Represented Personnel titled “Anti- Discrimination Policy.”
Idle was appointed Galesburg Police Chief on September 9, 2019. He began his career in law enforcement with the Galesburg Police Department on Aug. 29, 1994, and has worked for GPD for 30 years. He has served as a patrol officer, sergeant, lieutenant, and was promoted to captain in February 2018.
The allegations of sexual harassment against Idle were reported from a city employee — whose name and position were redacted — to another unnamed city employee, who then reported them to Deputy Chief Kevin Legate on March 4.
In the memorandum dated March 4, the person reporting the allegations of harassment against Idle wrote to Legate, “I read the incidents that (name redacted) had handed me and noted that they seemed to have occurred over several years, with one incident occurring when the Chief was a Captain. After reading the incidents (name redacted) had documented, I advised (redacted) that I was here to support her and asked how |could assist. (Redacted) advised me that she was going to make an appointment to speak with Human Resources and that she would keep me posted. I advised (redacted) that since she had reported her concerns to me, I would need to notify Deputy Chief Legate and Human Resources due to the mandated reporting. (Redacted) and I spoke further and it was agreed that I would allow her to contact HR prior to me speaking with anyone further.”
Among the 11 allegations are:
- Idle told (name redacted) “If you made the tea, I’d drink it.” The term tea had recently been used in a training video the department had seen and referred to sexual intercourse. Idle then approached (name redacted) and stated that he was referring to sex.
- Sometime in the summer of 2024, Idle told (redacted) “the solution to the sexual assault epidemic is to have women stop saying no to men.
- Overheard a conversation between Idle and (name redacted) where Idle was bragging about his past sexual adventures.
- In 2017 or 2018, while she was walking down the hall after returning to work from (redacted) Idle make a comment about “Game of Thrones” and how she reminded him a (redacted) character on that series and asked if she needed to (redacted) her husband.
During the leave, Idle is ordered to have no contact with City or Police staff, or to be present at any City buildings, including the Public Safety Building. He was also required to surrender any City-issued equipment, including, but not limited to, his badge, weapon, access fobs, keys, laptop, etc.
According to the city website, Idle’s 2025 annualized salary is $161,815.20. With health benefits, his total compensation package is $185,731.32 — making him the second-highest paid city employee behind the city manager.
Legate has served as acting chief since Idle was put on leave. Legate, a 23-year veteran with the GPD, was appointed Galesburg’s deputy chief in July 2023. He joined GPD on Dec. 28, 2001.
