HB2427 EngrossedLRB102 13015 AWJ 18358 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 
14and quality 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 102nd General Assembly:
18        (1) 2 assistant public defenders from the Office of 
19    the 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.
 
 
HB2427 Engrossed- 2 -LRB102 13015 AWJ 18358 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 
6may be reimbursed for their expenses incurred in performing 
7their duties. If a vacancy occurs in the Task Force 
8membership, the vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as 
9the original appointment 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 
16such other 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, 2022.
24    (f) This Section is repealed on December 31, 2023.
 
 
25    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon 
26becoming law.