A delegation organized by Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development has returned from a self-proclaimed productive trip to Washington D.C. where it advocated for federal funding for several critical infrastructure projects in Galesburg.
Meeting with Illinois Senators Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth, Congressman Eric Sorensen, and Federal Railroad Administration officials, the 6-person group aimed to build support for Galesburg’s South Street Underpass replacement and East Main Street streetscaping projects, while thanking legislators for $25 million in federal funding for a rail access project at Galesburg Business Park.
Ken Springer, president of Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development, said the trip was part of KCAP’s long-term strategic plan.
Springer deemed the trip as “fantastic” during an appearance Monday on WGIL’s Galesburg’s Morning News, with legislators and federal officials actively listening and asking numerous questions about the technical details, funding requirements and timelines of the projects.
“The whole intent of this is to go out to D.C. to meet with legislators, to meet with federal agencies, and advance projects that are going to be critical to the future of this region,” Springer said. “And and by going out to D.C. you can build support and and then hopefully increase your chances of getting funding for those types of priorities.”
Thank you to Knox County leaders for the meeting to discuss economic development, passenger rail, and making Galesburg a hub for opportunity. pic.twitter.com/KjdPHg1k17
— Congressman Eric Sorensen (@RepEricSorensen) April 10, 2025
In addition to Springer, the delegation included three KCAP board members — chairman John Pritchard (Galesburg Broadcasting/WGIL), vice chair Adam Vitale (G&M Distributors) and secretary/treasurer Josh Gibb (Galesburg Community Foundation) — along with Galesburg City Manager Eric Hanson and Director of Public Works Aaron Gavin. Hanson and Gavin attended to provide technical expertise related to the projects.
“Everybody that went had had experience in Washington D.C.,” Springer said. “A couple of the folks in the delegation were able to wear multiple hats.”
Springer said he was appreciative of KCAP board members who volunteered their time and covered their travel expenses to D.C.
Springer noted there were no elected officials from Galesburg that joined the initial trip to D.C., but said KCAP intends to broaden the makeup of the delegation for future trips to meet with federal officials, potentially expanding to include county, school, and college stakeholders for broader projects.
“Sustaining this will pay dividends,” Springer said.
I met with representatives from Knox County Area Partnership for Economic Development to discuss the various infrastructure projects in Knox County.
Funding for infrastructure projects is vital to keeping our streets safe. pic.twitter.com/JatIc9qCB3
— Senator Dick Durbin (@SenatorDurbin) April 9, 2025
The city of Galesburg plans to go after a second federal grant that could lead to the replacement of the antiquated South Street underpass. It has submitted a Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant Program application for a project planning study at the South Street railroad underpass and Mulberry Street crossing.
The potential changes that will be a part of the planning study include closing the Mulberry Street crossing and replacing the South Street underpass with a new underpass that does not have a height restriction. This would allow for the passage of taller emergency vehicles and larger trucks.
The East Main Street streetscaping project targets safety and aesthetic upgrades from Grand Avenue east to I-74, aiming to attract businesses and complement planned US 150 resurfacing on East Main Street.