(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; (iii) make recommendations to improve the caseload of public defenders and quality of legal services offered by public defenders; and (iv) provide recommendations to the General Assembly and Governor on legislation to provide for an effective public defender system throughout the State and encourage the active and substantial participation of the private bar in the representation of accused people.
     (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:

Terms Used In Illinois Compiled Statutes 55 ILCS 5/3-4013

  • Appellate: About appeals; an appellate court has the power to review the judgement of another lower court or tribunal.
  • Litigation: A case, controversy, or lawsuit. Participants (plaintiffs and defendants) in lawsuits are called litigants.
  • Public defender: Represent defendants who can't afford an attorney in criminal matters.
  • Remainder: An interest in property that takes effect in the future at a specified time or after the occurrence of some event, such as the death of a life tenant.
  • State: when applied to different parts of the United States, may be construed to include the District of Columbia and the several territories, and the words "United States" may be construed to include the said district and territories. See Illinois Compiled Statutes 5 ILCS 70/1.14
  • Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.

         (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, 2023.
     (f) This Section is repealed on December 31, 2024.
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