New Public Defender Has 4 Initiatives

2016 Cook County Proposed Budget:  Public Defender, October 29, 2015

Amy Campanelli, who was confirmed as the new Public Defender in April, has identified 4 key initiatives for her office:  reforming bond court, expanding specialty courts, reaching out to the community and her client bases so they understand the work we do, and elevating the training and professionalism of her staff.  She is satisfied with the amount for the office in the Executive Budget.  The office currently has 130,000 cases:  15,000 felonies and 115,000 misdemeanors.

Commissioner Boykin asked whether gun laws in Illinois are tough enough in comparison to New York state.  The Public Defender said that the Illinois laws are plenty tough enough, in contrast to what many are saying.  She said what should be focused on are the programs to help those convicted once they come out of prison. 

Commissioner Murphy asked about the idea of a homeless court.  The Public Defender said that her office has had several meetings with other stakeholders to discuss dealing with the homeless, but she hopes this will be a diversion program rather than a court. 

Commissioner Gainer is concerned with the dollars being spent on outside attorneys to deal with conflicts.  She asked whether the money would be better spent to hire more assistant public defenders to deal with conflicts who could also deal with other matters.  The Public Defender explained that the office already represents up to two different defendants in the same case by using defenders who operate separately to avoid conflicts of interest.  The money spent on outside counsel is for those cases when there are more than two people who must be represented.  Her office is working with outside counsel to take some of these cases pro bono.  Commissioner Gainer also questioned the need for a spokesperson for the department, expressing surprise that the Public Defender thinks the department needs both a community outreach person and a public relations person, in lieu of attorney positions. 

Commissioner Gainer also asked how the Public Defender measures success.  The Public Defender said that the new case management system should help track how many clients come in and how many come back; and how long it takes to go to trial.  She emphasized that success should not be measured by the number of cases “won.”

-- Priscilla Mims, League Observer