Peoria County public defender reports staff turnover, adds client advocate; highlights caseload numbers

Kevin Lowe, Peoria County public defender, told the board his office is losing one part-time contractor, Sam Snyder, whose last day will be May 8. Lowe said that departure will reduce the office’s attorney staffing level to 17 (six full-time attorneys and 11 part-time contractors) unless a replacement is hired.

Lowe said his office recently filled a full-time client-advocate position, Allison Gibbs, a hire supported by a grant from the Administrative Office of the Illinois Courts. He also reported that an entry-level attorney, Randy Kurth (a former intern), has accepted a full-time position and will join the office this summer under a Rule 711 license while studying for the bar.

Lowe provided caseload statistics included in the quarterly report. He said Table 7 showed 38 pending first-degree murder cases in Peoria County as of April 11; of those 38, 35 were “moving forward” and the public defender’s office had been appointed in 24 of the 35 (which Lowe calculated as 68.6%).

Lowe also added juvenile abuse-and-neglect data: in the final quarter of 2024 his report listed 48 cases filed with 90 total named respondents; the state moved forward against 74 respondents and the public defender was appointed for 71 of those (94.9%). For fourth quarter 2023 he reported 85 cases with 166 initial respondents; the state moved forward against 138 and the public defender was appointed for 128 (92.8%). Lowe said these reports are provided quarterly and are posted on the county agenda center.

Lowe invited questions but no formal board action followed; the presentation was informational.