There may be appointed in each county, municipality and township of this State a local historian for the purpose of preparing and publishing local histories, preserving and protecting local historic records, artifacts and edifices and documenting local current events. In municipalities of more than 1,000,000 inhabitants, a local historian may be appointed in each community area.
The local historian shall be appointed by the chief elected governing body of the county, municipality or township and shall receive no compensation beyond reimbursement for actual expenses unless otherwise provided by action of the governing body. The local historian shall serve at the pleasure of the governing body and shall have such qualifications as it may determine.
50 ILCS 130/1