JACKSONVILLE, ILL. -- The regional superintendent of schools for four west-central Illinois counties says he will retire effective Wednesday.

The Jacksonville Journal-Courier reports that Stephen Breese of Jacksonville has been superintendent for Brown, Cass, Morgan and Scott counties since 2003.

The 61-year-old says he felt it was time to go because of "upheaval in state finances and discussion of the pension systems."

MyJournalCourier.com's Greg Olson reported that Breese is looking for a new career, possibly in education.

Breese told Olson that, “About the time I was going to announce my retirement, the governor proposed no salaries for regional superintendents of schools. I felt it would be negative public relations for the offices of regional superintendents to announce my retirement at that time, and that was not the case. My retirement looks hasty, but it has been in the works for some time.”

Breese will be replaced by Jeff Stephens of Arenzville.

Stephens has been assistant regional superintendent of schools for the last four years.