Section 500.30  State Appellate Defender Commission

a)         Purpose

Section 4 of the Act creates the State Appellate Defender Commission to advise the State Appellate Defender.  Subject to the rules of the Supreme Court, the Commission may recommend policies for the operation of the Office.

b)        Composition

a)         The Commission is comprised of 9 uncompensated members. (Section 4(a) and (d) of the Act)

b)         The 9 members shall be appointed as follows:

1)         The Governor shall appoint one member who shall be designated by the Governor to serve as the Commission Chair.

2)         The Supreme Court shall appoint one member.

3)         Each of the 5 Appellate Courts shall each appoint one member.

4)         The Supreme Court shall appoint one member from a panel of 3 persons nominated by the Illinois State Bar Association.

5)         The Governor shall appoint one member from a panel of 3 persons nominated by the Illinois Public Defender Association. (Section 4(a) of the Act)

c)         Terms of Office

Commission members serve a term of 6 years and until a successor is appointed and qualified. (Section 4(a) of the Act)

d)         Other Officers

Members of the Commission elect a Vice-Chair and Secretary from among their membership. (Section 4(c) of the Act)

e)         Meetings

The Commission shall meet once every six months. Four members constitute a quorum.  (Section 4(c) and (e) of the Act)

f)          Powers and Duties of the Commission

The Commission:

1)         Shall approve or modify an operational budget submitted to it by the State Appellate Defender and set the number of employees each year.

2)         May, for reasonable grounds, recommend to the Supreme Court the removal of the State Appellate Defender.

3)         Shall exercise other powers and duties as the Supreme Court by rule may provide.

4)         Shall receive from the State Appellate Defender:

A)        at each semiannual meeting, a report on the operation of the Office;

B)        at the end of the fiscal year, a comprehensive report; and

C)        any other additional or amended report on any phase of the operation of the Office that the Commission requires.  (Section 6 of the Act)