IllinoisHB4217104th General Assembly (2025–2026)House

COUNTIES CD-DEFENDER POWERS

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

Summary

Amends the Officers and Employees Article of the Counties Code. Allows public defenders who are representing a client in a criminal case to also represent the client in summary suspension or revocation hearings under a specified provision in the Illinois Vehicle Code.

judiciary - criminalassignmentsexecutive

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

More lawyer access for kids under 15

Beginning August 15, 2025, the law expands lawyer access during police questioning in custody for certain young minors. It covers cases under Juvenile Court Act Section 5-170 when the child was under 15 at the offense. If the offense occurred in a county with a full-time public defender office, defenders can help without fees or court appointment. In counties without that office, police must ensure access to a county-contracted public defense lawyer for consultation. This representation ends at the first court appearance if the court finds the child can afford a lawyer.

Public defenders can handle related license suspensions

Beginning August 15, 2025, appointed public defenders can also handle a client's related license suspension hearing. This applies to statutory summary suspension proceedings arising from the same arrest as the criminal case. The public defender decides whether to take the suspension case. The law does not create a right to a lawyer in that proceeding.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

  • Javier L. Cervantes

    Democratic • Senate

  • Kelly M. Cassidy

    Democratic • House

  • Rick Ryan

    Democratic • House

  • Robert F. Martwick

    Democratic • Senate

  • Will Guzzardi

    Democratic • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 152 • No: 53

Senate vote • 5/20/2026

Third Reading - Passed;

Yes: 43 • No: 15

Senate vote • 5/6/2026

Do Pass Executive;

Yes: 10 • No: 3

House vote • 4/14/2026

Third Reading - Short Debate - Passed

Yes: 82 • No: 28

House vote • 4/7/2026

House Floor Amendment No. 2 Recommends Be Adopted Judiciary - Criminal Committee;

Yes: 8 • No: 2

House vote • 2/24/2026

Do Pass / Short Debate Judiciary - Criminal Committee;

Yes: 9 • No: 5

Bill Text

  • Engrossed

  • Enrolled

  • House Amendment 1

  • House Amendment 2

  • Introduced

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