Illinois State Public Defender Commission to Hold Inaugural Meeting on October 30
The State Public Defender Commission has announced its first meeting to be held on Friday, October 30, at locations in Springfield and Chicago. The meeting is open to the public.
The Commission’s inaugural meeting is a landmark step and effectuates the Illinois FAIR Act, PA 104-0300, which was signed into law by Governor Pritzker in 2025 to provide for the constitutionally mandated public defense system in Illinois.
Implementation of the FAIR Act is intended to phase in over several years. The Commission will play a vital role in overseeing and supporting the Office of the State Public Defender (OSPD), which becomes effective January 1, 2027.
The Commission includes appointees of the Illinois Supreme Court, Governor and General Assembly. The Commission’s membership and first meeting agenda are listed below.
MEETING DETAILS
Date: Friday, October 30, 2026 | Time: 1 p.m.
Locations:
850 E. Madison (3rd Floor)
Springfield, IL 62702
Michael A. Bilandic Building
(18th Floor) 160 N. LaSalle Street
Chicago IL 60601
AGENDA COMMISSION MEMBERSHIP
Carol A. Brook
Former Executive Director
Federal Defender Program
Hon. Michael Burke, Retired
Illinois Supreme Court
Jeffrey D. Coleman
Of Counsel
Jenner & Block LLP
Professor Shobha Mahadev
Assistant Dean for Clinical Education
Children & Family Justice Center
Northwestern Pritzker School of Law
Sharone Mitchell, Jr.
Chief Public Defender
Cook County
Hon. Brian Otwell, Retired
Former Chief Public Defender
Sangamon County
Wendell Robinson
Executive Director
Restore Justice Foundation
Nathan Rowland
Chief Public Defender
Hamilton & Gallatin Counties
Jeffrey York
Chief Public Defender
DuPage County
Nick Zimmerman
Chief Public Defender
Winnebago County
(FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT: Joseph Ryan, (217) 691-5839, Jryan@ilosps.gov)
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