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Public defender warns statewide FAIR Act could reshape county system; requests salary and staffing increases
Summary
The county's public defender outlined existing workloads, grant-funded positions and the possible effect of the Illinois FAIR Act, which passed both legislative chambers; he asked the county to consider raises and staffing changes while noting the law could alter funding and structure.
A county public defender (presenting at the June 24 finance hearing) told the Finance Committee that a newly passed state measure referred to in the meeting as the "FAIR Act" could significantly change how public defense is structured and funded in Illinois and urged the county to consider local salary and staffing proposals while awaiting clarity on state implementation.
The public defender described the office's current model: a mix of part-time and grant-funded attorneys, supplemental grant money used to hire a fourth attorney for juvenile court, and a small…
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