Notwithstanding any other provision of law, each judicial circuit of this State, in addition to its other assistant solicitors, shall have one assistant solicitor and one investigator who shall be full-time employees. Such assistant solicitor and investigator for each circuit shall be appointed by the solicitor of that circuit, shall serve at his pleasure and shall have such responsibilities as the solicitor directs. The compensation of each such assistant solicitor and investigator or such other staff as may be designated by each solicitor for his circuit and related employment expenses shall be as provided by the General Assembly in the annual general appropriations act. Nothing contained herein shall prohibit the funds so provided for such staff to be designated by the solicitor as being utilized with local and federal funds.