Illinois Secretary of State and State Archivist Jesse White has announced that Paul C. Schmitz of Pana was appointed chairman of the Downstate Local Records Commission. The appointment was made by Governor Pat Quinn with the advice White, whose office oversees the commission’s activities. 

Schmitz is currently chairman of the Christian County Board.  The position of Downstate Local Records Commission must be filled by a county board chairman.

White and his staff advise the local records commission and provide it with support services. Under state statute, no local unit of government in areas of Illinois outside of Cook County may dispose of a record without first receiving permission of the Downstate Local Records Commission. The Downstate Local Records Commission meets monthly in Springfield to discuss disposal requests and issues related to records retention and accessibility to government records.

Other members of the commission include Macon County State’s Attorney Jack Ahola, Beardstown Mayor Robert Walters, St. Clair County Auditor Patty Sprague, Illinois State Archives Director David Joens and Gary Stockton of the Illinois State Historian’s office. Board members are not paid for their service on the commission.