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.