SB1966 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB101 09230 SLF 54324 b

101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2019 and 2020
SB1966

Introduced 2/15/2019, by Sen. Elgie R. Sims, Jr.

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

725 ILCS 105/12 new
725 ILCS 105/13 new
725 ILCS 105/14 new

Amends the State Appellate Defender Act. Creates the Public Defender Bail Reform Grant Program to assist county public defenders in implementing a provision of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 which requires counsel at bail hearings. Provides that the Public Defender Bail Reform Grant Program is to be administered by the State Appellate Defender, under the direction of the State Appellate Defender Commission. Provides that the State Appellate Defender shall request funds for this grant program within its annual appropriation. Provides for eligibility and administration of the grant program. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning criminal law.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The State Appellate Defender Act is amended by adding Sections 12, 13, and 14 as follows:

(725 ILCS 105/12 new)

Sec. 12. Public Defender Bail Reform Grant Program.

(a) There is hereby created a Public Defender Bail Reform Grant Program. The purpose of this grant program is to assist county public defenders in implementing Section 109-1 of the Code of Criminal Procedure of 1963 which requires counsel at bail hearings.

(b) The Public Defender Bail Reform Grant Program is to be administered by the State Appellate Defender, under the direction of the Commission. The State Appellate Defender is also required to seek recommendations on administering this grant program from the Illinois Supreme Court Pretrial Commission on Pretrial Practices.

(c) The State Appellate Defender shall request funds for this grant program within its annual appropriation. The State Appellate Defender may also seek contributions and grants to supplement all State funds appropriated for this grant program.

(725 ILCS 105/13 new)

Sec. 13. Grant program; eligibility.

(a) As of January 1, 2019, any county that does not employ a full-time public defender is eligible to apply for a grant under the Public Defender Bail Reform Grant Program. The Commission may also establish a county population threshold for grant eligibility.

(b) The application for the grant shall be made by the Chief Judge of the Circuit in which the county is located. The Chief Judge shall administer the grant. Any group of eligible counties within the same Circuit Court may jointly apply for grant under the Public Defender Bail Reform Grant Program.

(725 ILCS 105/14 new)

Sec. 14. Public Defender Bail Reform Grant Program Administration.

(a) The State Appellate Defender shall have the authority to adopt rules for the administration of the Public Defender Bail Reform Grant Program. The rules shall be in effect after the rules are approved by the Supreme Court.

(b) The State Appellate Defender shall publish grant guidelines, rules, and grant application forms on the agency's website.

(c) The State Appellate Defender may work with any law school to establish internship programs for the training of law students in representing individuals in bail hearings. The State Appellate Defender may also seek permission from the Supreme Court to utilize law students with a provisional license to practice law in representing individuals in eligible counties.

Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.