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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
HONORING THE COOK COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE FOR ITS POSITIVE COMMUNITY BASED PROGRAMS
WHEREAS, a Public Defender’s Office is essential to the progress of a just and equitable society and an important component of our system of justice as outlined in the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantees the right to counsel in criminal prosecutions, and is the basis for the public defender system; and
WHEREAS, the Cook County Public Defender’s Office is tasked with providing unbiased legal representation to those who cannot afford a private attorney; and
WHEREAS, our Cook County Public Defender's Office is paramount to the success of our citizens, exemplified through the work they do and the many community-based programs they offer; and
WHEREAS, programs such as the Know Your Rights Campaigns, Dialogue with Community, Law Students Volunteer and Internship Program, and Community Defense Centers, as well as their many other programs build rapport between community members and public defenders allowing for an easier execution of their duties; and
WHEREAS, Dialogue with Community offers a space to facilitate a Q&A style dialogue where the community can seek information in regards to the inner workings of the office as well as the office asking the community for feedback on their work, they also take that opportunity to provide information and connect people with resources; and
WHEREAS, the Law Students Volunteer and Internship Program allows recent graduates and current law students the opportunity to shadow an attorney so they can get a better sense of the justice system by directly participating; and
WHEREAS, additionally the Public Defender's office hosts Know Your Rights events with the goal of boosting community knowledge about their constitutional rights, including anyone who has been detained by the police, as well as informing people of the free legal services provided by the Public Defender’s Office and in doing so increasing trust from the community; and
WHEREAS, the office uses resources such as social media and volunteer work to promote community engagement; and
WHEREAS, recently, the Office of the Public Defender completed a major initiative in the Roseland neighborhood with the launch of the Roseland Defense Center. This center reimagines traditional legal defense by moving it beyond the courtroom and into the heart of the community. Through this innovative approach, the center offers both legal representation and vital community services and resources; and
WHEREAS, despite these critical contributions, public defenders face numerous challenges that impact their ability to effectively serve the community; and
WHEREAS, given that the Public Defender's Office provides free legal representation, it is established that the majority of their revenue comes from county and state funding, which equates to approximately $110 million annually; and
WHEREAS, Public Defenders make significantly less than their counterparts in the private sector with a pay gap of around 11.76% for newcomers and 43.7% for top earners; and
WHEREAS, Public Defenders’ caseloads often exceed national standards, resulting in some experiencing burnout, with approximately 150 felony cases and 400 misdemeanors cases per attorney, with some reporting upwards of 2000 misdemeanors per year; and
WHEREAS, additionally due to the lack of time Public Defenders have to communicate with the clients they are assigned, there exists an 86% chance that the case will result in a guilty plea; and
WHEREAS, despite the stress and challenges inherent to public service, the Cook County Public Defender's Office consistently fulfills its duties to the best of its ability; and
WHEREAS, as evidenced by their commitment to offering community-based programs to populations who need them most and fulfilling their constitutional duty of providing their clients with due process, the Public Defender’s Office is a vital resource to ensure the safety and well-being of our communities; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the President and Members of the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby honor and commend the Cook County Public Defender's Office for its dedication to justice and the innovative community-based programs that strengthen public trust and engagement; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board recognizes the vital role of public defenders in upholding constitutional rights and ensuring access to justice for all individuals, regardless of economic status; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners honors the Public Defender’s Office for their work and that a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Public Defender as a token of our respect and esteem.
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