Illinois Courts
10/27/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/27/2026 15:40
Illinois State Public Defender Commission to hold inaugural meeting on October 30
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- Illinois State Public Defender Commission to hold inaugural meeting on October 30
Illinois State Public Defender Commission to hold inaugural meeting on October 30 | State of Illinois Office of the Illinois Courts
Illinois State Public Defender Commission to hold inaugural meeting on October 30
10/27/2026
The State Public Defender Commission has announced its first meeting to be held on Friday, October 30, at locations in Springfield and Chicago. The meeting is open to the public.
The Commission's inaugural meeting is a landmark step and effectuates the Illinois FAIR Act, PA 104-0300, which was signed into law by Governor Pritzker in 2025 to provide for the constitutionally mandated public defense system in Illinois.
Implementation of the FAIR Act is intended to phase in over several years. The Commission will play a vital role in overseeing and supporting the Office of the State Public Defender (OSPD), which becomes effective January 1, 2027.
The Commission includes appointees of the Illinois Supreme Court, Governor and General Assembly. The Commission's membership and first meeting agenda are listed below.
MEETING DETAILS
Date: Friday, October 30, 2026 Time: 1 p.m.
Locations:
|
850 E. Madison (3rd Floor) Springfield, IL 62702 |
Michael A. Bilandic Building (18th Floor) 160 N. LaSalle Street Chicago IL 60601 |
COMMISSION MEMBERSHIP
|
Carol A. Brook Former Executive Director Federal Defender Program |
Hon. Michael Burke, Retired Illinois Supreme Court |
|
Jeffrey D. Coleman Of Counsel Jenner & Block LLP |
Professor Shobha Mahadev Assistant Dean for Clinical Education Children & Family Justice Center Northwestern Pritzker School of Law |
|
Sharone Mitchell, Jr. Chief Public Defender Cook County |
Hon. Brian Otwell, Retired Former Chief Public Defender Sangamon County |
|
Wendell Robinson Executive Director Restore Justice Foundation |
Nathan Rowland Chief Public Defender Hamilton & Gallatin Counties |
|
Jeffrey York Chief Public Defender DuPage County |
Nick Zimmerman Chief Public Defender Winnebago County |
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