Will Illinois Have a New Public Defender System?
By John Rekowski
Criminal Justice,
May 2025
Illinois is considering HB 3363 to reform its public defense system by creating a State Public Defender and a State Public Defender Commission to support, not control, local public defenders. The main controversy is over who appoints local Chief Public Defenders—currently judges, but the bill proposes a state commission. The change aims to reduce conflicts of interest but faces strong opposition from judges and the Illinois State Bar Association.
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