Episode Details

Derek Antoine, executive director of the Knox County Housing Authority, says doing nothing about homelessness in Galesburg isn't a real option. "If you think this is a problem now, let's do nothing and watch the problem explode over the next three to five years," he said. Antoine joined Galesburg's Morning News on Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, to talk about a personal Facebook post that drew significant attention this month, the actual scope of local homelessness, and the most common criticisms he hears. [caption id="attachment_707638" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Derek Antoine, executive director of the Knox County Housing Authority, visited the WGIL studio Friday, Sept. 18, 2026. (JAY REDFERN/WGIL)[/caption] They talked about: Where his 200-to-300-person estimate actually comes from What the Knox County Housing Authority can and can't do Whether Galesburg is a magnet for people from other communities Why he pushes back on "if we build it, they will come" His take on the Galesburg Public Library and the criticism it's received   Related story: KCHA director: 'If we do nothing,' Galesburg's homelessness problem will grow 🎧 Subscribe to Galesburg's Morning News: Apple podcasts.apple.com | Spotify open.spotify.com