Public Act 102-0430
 
HB2427 EnrolledLRB102 13015 AWJ 18358 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 102nd 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, 2022.
    (f) This Section is repealed on December 31, 2023.
 
 
    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon 
becoming law.