The annual fall meeting of the Illinois Public Defender Association will take place Friday and Saturday, Oct. 3-4, at the Hilton Hotel in Springfield.

President Stephen L. Richards of the State Appellate Defender’s Office in Chicago will open the meeting at 11:55 a.m. Oct. 3. Educational presentations will continue until 6 p.m.

The annual dinner will begin at 7 p.m. Highlights include a keynote speech by Cook County Public Defender Edwin A. Burnette, “On the Independence of the Public Defender.”

Burnette will receive the Matthew Maloney Award, and Vermilion County public defender Robert E. McIntire will be installed as president.

Education programs will continue Oct. 4 from 9 a.m. until the 1 p.m. adjournment. Speakers include Stephen W. Baker, a member of the ISBA Committee on Legislation, who provide a legislative update at 12 noon.

For registration details and availability of accommodations in the hotel, call Sandi Begue at (217) 782-3654.