LATEST NEWS
“Illinois has, for too long, failed to safeguard the rights of people accused of a crime, regardless of their access to money.”
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Democrats push possible Trump response to new year
Chicago Tribune, Nov. 24, 2024
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Democrats have Donald Trump’s second term in mind heading into Illinois legislature’s fall session
Chicago Tribune, Nov. 11, 2024
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Bill aimed at assisting public defenders falls short this spring, backers say they’ll try again in fall
Chicago Tribune, June 3, 2024
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New Bill Aims to Create Statewide Public Defender Office in Illinois
WTTW, May 28, 2024
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‘A state of triage’: Illinois public defenders in crisis amid staffing shortage
Courthouse News Service, May 24, 2024
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Illinois needs public defender reform. Is a new state bill the right step?
Prism Reports, May 23, 2024
“The current public defense system in Illinois is inconsistent, lacks adequate resources and does not meet the state’s constitutional obligations.”
“Roughly 60% percent of the state’s 102 counties do not have a full-time public defender. That needs to change for Illinois to meet its legal obligation to provide criminal defendants with legal counsel.”
6 months after Illinois ended cash bail, jail populations are down as courts settle into new patterns
Chicago Tribune
IL Senate president’s bill would create statewide office supporting public defenders
WGEM
Stephanie Kollmann: Illinois legislators should create a statewide system for public defense
Chicago Tribune
Efforts underway for statewide public defender system to ‘even legal playing field’
The Center Square
Senate President Don Harmon proposes statewide office to support public defender system
Chicago Tribune