State of Illinois
91st General Assembly
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Public Act 91-0577

SB27 Enrolled                                  LRB9100064SMpk

    AN ACT to amend the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 by
adding Article 106E.

    Be it enacted by the People of  the  State  of  Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:

    Section  5.   The  Code  of Criminal Procedure of 1963 is
amended by adding Article 106E as follows:

    (725 ILCS 5/Article 106E heading new)
          ARTICLE 106E.  TASK FORCE ON PROFESSIONAL
          PRACTICE IN THE ILLINOIS  JUSTICE SYSTEMS

    (725 ILCS 5/106E-5 new)
    Sec. 106E-5.  Purpose  for  task  force.    The  Illinois
General  Assembly takes notice that some public defenders and
assistant  prosecutors  in  the  Illinois  criminal   justice
systems   are   often   reimbursed  at  salary  levels  below
reasonable rates for private  practice.    The  criminal  and
juvenile justice systems in Illinois have become increasingly
technical  and  complex due to countless piecemeal amendments
to the Criminal Code of 1961, this Code, the  Juvenile  Court
Act  of  1987,  and  the  Unified Code of Corrections.  It is
increasingly  difficult  to  remain  current  on  legislative
amendments  and  court  decisions  in  the  rapidly  changing
justice systems of Illinois.  Increases in levels of  arrests
have  led  to  increased  criminal  and juvenile prosecutions
throughout  Illinois  resulting  in  higher   caseloads   for
attorneys practicing in the justice system.  Rapid changes in
technology  have  resulted  in changes in court processing of
criminal and  juvenile  offenders  that  require  concomitant
technological  resources  for  attorneys  practicing  in  the
justice  system.  Defender services in some areas of Illinois
are covered by a single  part-time  attorney.   Local  county
boards  are  increasingly challenged to adequately fund local
systems of justice.
    In order for the State to protect its moral  and  ethical
integrity,  the  State  must  ensure a justice system that is
staffed   by   attorneys   prepared   to   render   competent
representation.   The   Illinois   General   Assembly   shall
establish   an   independent,   non-partisan  Task  Force  on
Professional Practice in  the  Illinois  Justice  Systems  to
study   appropriate  levels  of  caseloads,  adequate  salary
structures, technological needs, and other  issues  affecting
the  recruitment  and retention of  attorneys in the Illinois
justice system.

    (725 ILCS 5/106E-10 new)
    Sec. 106E-10. Task Force on Professional Practice in  the
Illinois  Justice  Systems.   The  Task Force on Professional
Practice in the Illinois Justice Systems shall  be  comprised
of  19  members  who shall serve without compensation and who
shall be appointed as follows:
    (1)  One member appointed by the President of the Senate.
    (2)  One member appointed by the Minority Leader  of  the
Senate.
    (3)  One  member appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives.
    (4)  One member appointed by the Minority Leader  of  the
House of Representatives.
    (5)  One member appointed by the Governor.
    (6)  One member appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court.
    (7)  One member appointed by the Illinois Public Defender
Association.
    (8)  Three  members  appointed  by the Illinois Appellate
Prosecutors Association.
    (9)  Three members appointed by the Office of  the  State
Appellate Defender.
    (10)  One  member appointed by the Office of the Attorney
General.
    (11)  One  member  appointed  by  the  Illinois   State's
Attorneys' Association.
    (12)  One  member appointed by the Illinois Attorneys for
Criminal Justice.
    (13)  One member appointed by the Office  of  the  Public
Defender of Cook County.
    (14)  One  member  appointed by the Office of the State's
Attorney of Cook County.
    (15)  One member appointed  by  the  Illinois  State  Bar
Association.
    The  Task  Force  shall  be  convened  and chaired by the
member appointed by the Illinois State Bar Association.   The
Task  Force  shall  be  staffed  by  the  Illinois  State Bar
Association.
    The  Task   Force   shall   report   its   findings   and
recommendations to the Governor, the General Assembly, and to
the  Illinois  Supreme Court no later than 9 months after the
effective date of this amendatory Act  of  the  91st  General
Assembly.

    (725 ILCS 5/106E-15 new)
    Sec.  106E-15. Repeal.  This Article is repealed December
31, 2000.

    Section 99.  Effective date.  This Act takes effect  upon
becoming law.

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