Dwight,

Thank you for responding.  I believe all legislators have records in the
state system.  I re-read the article to be certain it bothered me as
much the first time.  It does.

The state does have a policy to collect the official records of business
of the state, which includes any recorded information appropriate to
senatorial responsibilities and votes of the state legislature.  I went
out and took a look at Obama's record some time ago.

What is suggested is that Obama would have created and kept personal
records, taken them with him as he left office and continues to claim he
does not have these "records" presently.  While I could not assert he
has nothing in hand, it does not compare with the record-keeping at the
White House.

Given the feedback on this thread, there seems to be the notion that
public officers do indeed create files of information related to their
work and keep those files personally...my experience is quite the
contrary.

Paula Johnson
Director, Administrative Records
University of California, San Diego
9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0014
La Jolla, CA 92093

-----Original Message-----
From: Records Management Program [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On
Behalf Of WALLIS Dwight D
Sent: Friday, November 16, 2007 11:01 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [RM] Raindrop: Obama says he has no Illinois records

Paula, if you look at the Illinois law, it applies to "executive
agencies". Please note that a state senator is part of the legislative
branch. I know of no state public records laws that apply to state
senators - the "clear policy to collect and accession the material" you
cite does not apply. The reference made to state agencies possibly
having the senator's records shows an understanding of public records
law - they would be required to keep the records, as they are "executive
agencies". The fact that the senator did not keep the records is, in my
experience, more the norm than the exception. However, there is one law
broken that is as old as politics itself: don't raise issues about your
opponents that might backfire on you ;>)

Dwight Wallis, CRM

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