HB2562eng 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HB2562 Engrossed LRB101 10626 AWJ 55732 b

AN ACT concerning local government.

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

Section 5. The Counties Code is amended by adding Section 3-4013 as follows:

(55 ILCS 5/3-4013 new)

Sec. 3-4013. Public Defender Quality Defense Task Force.

(a) The Public Defender Quality Defense Task Force is established to: (i) examine the current caseload and determine the optimal caseload for public defenders in the State; (ii) examine the quality of legal services being offered to defendants by public defenders of the State; and (iii) make recommendations to improve the caseload of public defenders and quality of legal services offered by public defenders.

(b) The following members shall be appointed to the Task Force by the Governor no later than 30 days after the effective date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly:

(1) 2 assistant public defenders from the Office of the Cook County Public Defender.

(2) 5 public defenders or assistant public defenders from 5 counties other than Cook County.

(3) One Cook County circuit judge experienced in the litigation of criminal law matters.

(4) One circuit judge from outside of Cook County experienced in the litigation of criminal law matters.

(5) One representative from the Office of the State Appellate Defender.

Task Force members shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed for their expenses incurred in performing their duties. If a vacancy occurs in the Task Force membership, the vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment for the remainder of the Task Force.

(c) The Task Force shall hold a minimum of 2 public hearings. At the public hearings, the Task Force shall take testimony of public defenders, former criminal defendants represented by public defenders, and any other person the Task Force believes would aid the Task Force's examination and recommendations under subsection (a). The Task may meet as such other times as it deems appropriate.

(d) The Office of the State Appellate Defender shall provide administrative and other support to the Task Force.

(e) The Task Force shall prepare a report that summarizes its work and makes recommendations resulting from its study. The Task Force shall submit the report of its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly no later than December 31, 2020.

(f) This Section is repealed on December 31, 2021.

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