STATE PUBLIC DEFENDER House SponsorsRep. Dave Vella-Justin Slaughter-Kevin John Olickal, Lilian Jiménez, Lindsey LaPointe, Will Guzzardi, Eva-Dina Delgado and Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz 1/7/2025HouseSession Sine Die New Act5 ILCS 140/755 ILCS 5/3-4000from Ch. 34, par. 3-400055 ILCS 5/3-4000.1from Ch. 34, par. 3-4000.155 ILCS 5/3-4001from Ch. 34, par. 3-400155 ILCS 5/3-4002from Ch. 34, par. 3-400255 ILCS 5/3-4003from Ch. 34, par. 3-400355 ILCS 5/3-4004from Ch. 34, par. 3-400455 ILCS 5/3-4004.2from Ch. 34, par. 3-4004.255 ILCS 5/3-4005from Ch. 34, par. 3-400555 ILCS 5/3-4007from Ch. 34, par. 3-400755 ILCS 5/3-4008.1from Ch. 34, par. 3-4008.155 ILCS 5/3-4009from Ch. 34, par. 3-400955 ILCS 5/3-4010.1from Ch. 34, par. 3-4010.155 ILCS 5/3-401455 ILCS 5/3-4004.1 rep.55 ILCS 5/3-4008 rep.55 ILCS 5/3-4010 rep.55 ILCS 5/3-4011 rep.55 ILCS 5/3-4013 rep. Creates the State Public Defender Act. Creates the Office of State Public Defender as an agency of State government. Provides that the Office of State Public Defender shall be an independent agency within the judicial branch of government and the Office's records shall be subject to the Freedom of Information Act. Provides that the Office of State Public Defender shall be under the supervision and direction of the State Public Defender. Sets forth the powers and duties of the State Public Defender, including the duties of the initial State Public Defender. Provides that the initial State Public Defender shall be appointed by the Supreme Court. Sets forth specified duties and responsibilities of the initial State Public Defender. Creates the State Public Defender Commission. Sets forth membership and duties of the Commission, including appointments of the State Public Defender after the initial appointment. Amends the Public Defender and Appointed Counsel Division of the Counties Code. Provides that any 2 or more counties of this State that are within the same judicial circuit may by joint resolution of the several county boards involved create a common Office of public defender for the counties so joined or allow representation in one county by the public defender appointed in the collaborating county (rather than 2 or more adjoining counties within the same judicial circuit may create a common Office of public defender). Provides that, when a vacancy occurs in the position of public defender, the State Public Defender shall nominate and the State Public Defender Commission shall appoint a properly qualified public defender using the application and selection process developed under the State Public Defender Act. Removes certain differences based upon county populations. Removes provisions relating to the Public Defender Quality Defense Task Force. Provides that a public defender may be removed only for good cause or dereliction of duty after notice and a hearing before the State Public Defender Commission (rather than by the president of the county board after a notice and hearing of the county board). Modifies how a public defender is compensated and how moneys in the Public Defender Fund may be used. Makes other changes. Amends various Acts to make conforming changes. 5/13/2024HouseFiled with the Clerk by Rep. Dave Vella 5/14/2024HouseFirst Reading 5/14/2024HouseReferred to Rules Committee 5/20/2024HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Justin Slaughter 5/23/2024HouseAdded Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Kevin John Olickal 10/1/2024HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Lilian Jiménez 11/13/2024HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Lindsey LaPointe 12/6/2024HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Will Guzzardi 12/6/2024HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado 12/9/2024HouseAdded Co-Sponsor Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz 1/7/2025HouseSession Sine Die