House Sponsors: REITZ-BOLAND-CURRY,JULIE-DAVIS,STEVE, RIGHTER AND HOFFMAN. Senate Sponsors: CULLERTON-OBAMA Short description: PUBLIC DEFENDER SALARIES Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Amends the Counties Code. Provides that the State shall reimburse counties for compensation paid to the Public Defender in counties having a population of less than 500,000. Provides that the reimbursement amount shall be equal to 40% of the salary paid to the State's Attorney in counties having a population of less than 500,000 but more than 100,000, and 25% of the salary paid to the State's Attorney in counties having a population of 100,000 or less. FISCAL NOTE (Office of the Illinois Courts) Survey results indicate that salaries of public defenders vary substantially. Maximum reimbursement to counties for public defender salaries would be approximately $50,000 for counties with a population of 100,000 to 500,000, $32,000 for counties with a population of 30,000 to 100,000, and $25,000 for coun- ties with populations of less than 30,000. Direct reimbursement of county expense for public defender salaries pursuant to HB 549 would have no fiscal impact on the judicial branch. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 1. Deletes everything. Amends the Counties Code. Requires that the State treasury pay 66 2/3% of a county's public defender's annual salary. Provides that a full-time county public defender's salary must be 90% or more of the State's attorney's salary in that county. HOUSE AMENDMENT NO. 2. Further amends the Counties Code. Restores text providing that when a Public Defender in a county of 30,000 or more population is receiving not less than 90% of the compensation of the State's Attorney in that county, that Public Defender shall not engage in the private practice of law. Provides that the State moneys paid for Public Defender salaries shall be paid monthly from the State treasury to the county in which each Public Defender is employed. GOVERNOR'S AMENDATORY VETO MESSAGE Recommends that a July 1, 2002 effective date be added to the bill. Last action on Bill: PUBLIC ACT.............................. 92-0508 Last action date: JAN-01-2002 Location: House Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 2 SENATE - 0 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status