HB2562 EngrossedLRB101 10626 AWJ 55732 b

1    AN ACT concerning local government.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 5. The Counties Code is amended by adding Section
53-4013 as follows:
 
6    (55 ILCS 5/3-4013 new)
7    Sec. 3-4013. Public Defender Quality Defense Task Force.
8    (a) The Public Defender Quality Defense Task Force is
9established to: (i) examine the current caseload and determine
10the optimal caseload for public defenders in the State; (ii)
11examine the quality of legal services being offered to
12defendants by public defenders of the State; and (iii) make
13recommendations to improve the caseload of public defenders and
14quality of legal services offered by public defenders.
15    (b) The following members shall be appointed to the Task
16Force by the Governor no later than 30 days after the effective
17date of this amendatory Act of the 101st General Assembly:
18        (1) 2 assistant public defenders from the Office of the
19    Cook County Public Defender.
20        (2) 5 public defenders or assistant public defenders
21    from 5 counties other than Cook County.
22        (3) One Cook County circuit judge experienced in the
23    litigation of criminal law matters.

 

 

HB2562 Engrossed- 2 -LRB101 10626 AWJ 55732 b

1        (4) One circuit judge from outside of Cook County
2    experienced in the litigation of criminal law matters.
3        (5) One representative from the Office of the State
4    Appellate Defender.
5    Task Force members shall serve without compensation but may
6be reimbursed for their expenses incurred in performing their
7duties. If a vacancy occurs in the Task Force membership, the
8vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original
9appointment for the remainder of the Task Force.
10    (c) The Task Force shall hold a minimum of 2 public
11hearings. At the public hearings, the Task Force shall take
12testimony of public defenders, former criminal defendants
13represented by public defenders, and any other person the Task
14Force believes would aid the Task Force's examination and
15recommendations under subsection (a). The Task may meet as such
16other times as it deems appropriate.
17    (d) The Office of the State Appellate Defender shall
18provide administrative and other support to the Task Force.
19    (e) The Task Force shall prepare a report that summarizes
20its work and makes recommendations resulting from its study.
21The Task Force shall submit the report of its findings and
22recommendations to the Governor and the General Assembly no
23later than December 31, 2020.
24    (f) This Section is repealed on December 31, 2021.
 
25    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
26becoming law.