Former Mayor Charles Scholz enjoys lunch with the students at Madison Elementary School in Quincy.
After serving 12 years as mayor of Quincy, Democrat Charles "Chuck" Scholz Sr. is joining SimmonsCooper law firm in East Alton.
"I'm excited about it," Scholz said Wednesday after one full day on the job. "It sits well with my background."
Scholz, whose last day as mayor was Monday, said he would maintain an office in Quincy and put his knowledge of local, state and federal issues to work in his new job in private law practice.
"I'll be doing whatever Jeff (Cooper) wants me to do," he said.
Prior to his election as mayor, Scholz was an assistant state's attorney and director of the western Illinois office of Illinois Attorney General Neil Hartigan.
"He's a sharp individual, very personable," said State Rep. Art Tenhouse (R-Quincy). "Chuck has a lot of connections. I'm sure he will be an asset."
Scholz also was downstate political director for the late U.S. Senator Paul Simon.
"He was such a great mentor to me," Scholz said.
Scholz received national media attention as mayor during the great flood of 1993, leading President Bill Clinton to leave a message on his home answering machine. When Scholz called back, the President promised him more federal aid.
Formerly a senior partner with the Quincy law firm of Scholz, Staff & Palmer, Scholz has not engaged in private law practice for 20 years.
Calls to SimmonsCooper were not returned.
A Democrat in Republican territory, Scholz escorted Clinton on his visit to the river town in January 2000. He flew in with Clinton on Air Force One from Washington, D.C., then rode into town in the presidential motorcade.