LATEST NEWS

First major public defense reform in decades awaits governor's pen

August 12, 2025, WGLT

“The right to an attorney is not just the right to a warm body in court, but the right to a meaningful defense,” said Stephanie Kollmann, policy director of the Children and Family Justice Center at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law.

“Illinois has, for too long, failed to safeguard the rights of people accused of a crime, regardless of their access to money.”

  • Here are 5 criminal justice reform bills that advocates want to see passed in Springfield

    The Triibe, May 29, 2025

    Read More

  • Public defender reforms promise a fairer kind of democracy. By K. Edward Copeland

    The Daily Herald, May 25, 2025

    Read More

  • Letters: Lawmakers should pass the FAIR Act to ensure all Illinoisans get a fair defense in court

    The Chicago Tribune, May 20, 2025

    Read More

  • Illinois public defenders, their clients deserve a FAIR shake By Christopher A. Wellborn and Bonnie Hoffman

    Chicago Sun Times, May 20, 2025

    Read More

  • Keith Grant and Jeff York, Guest Columnists: Illinois was once a leader in public defense. We can be again

    Effingham Daily News, May 16, 2025

    Read More

  • Defending Justice: What Public Defense Reform Means for Illinois Counties

    Illinois State Association of Counties, May 8, 2025

    Click Here

  • Lawmakers moving forward on public defender reform .........................

     Capitol News Illinois, April 16, 2025

    Click Here

  • The Future of Public Defenders in Illinois ......................................................

    WBBM Newsradio, April 13, 2025

    Listen

READ MORE