Illinois General Assembly - Bill Status for SB1654

Amends the State Appellate Defender Act. Creates the Illinois Public Defense Board within the Office of the State Appellate Defender. Provides that the Board shall be composed of 9 members. Provides that 8 of the members shall be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate, and one of the members shall be the State Appellate Defender and shall serve as chairperson of the Board. Provides that the Board members shall serve terms of 4 years and may be reappointed by the Governor. Provides that the Governor may remove a member of the Board for incompetence, neglect of duty, or malfeasance in office. Provides that the Board shall appoint an Executive Director to oversee the operations of all public defenders in the State. Provides that, subject to appropriation, the Executive Director shall hire permanent staff to carry out the Board's duties. Provides that the Board shall: (1) oversee trial level indigent defense services throughout the 102 counties of the State; (2) establish uniform standards for the conduct of indigent defense services throughout the State; and (3) provide training and regional supervision of indigent defense services throughout the State. Amends the Counties Code to make a conforming change.

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