The first part of the FAIR Act takes effect today, July 1, 2026! The start of implementation of the Funded Advocacy & Independent Representation Act marks the first significant reform to Illinois’ public defense system since 1949! The 2025 law establishes the Office of the State Public Defender, led by a State Public Defender who will collect and publish data that will be used to create workload standards for public defenders and ensure they have adequate support and resources. 

Implementation begins today with the creation of the State Public Defender Commission. Over the next three months, commissioners will be appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court, Governor J.B. Pritzker, and the General Assembly. The Commission will be responsible for selecting future State Public Defenders and appointing county-level Chief Public Defenders, as openings occur, starting January 1, 2027.

The Illinois Network for Pretrial Justice is excited to see this first phase of implementation begin. Now begins the long hard work of ensuring that Illinoisans who can’t afford to hire a private attorney still have access to robust and independent legal representation.