New Illinois bill aims to overhaul public defense system | The Chicago Report

A major overhaul to the Illinois justice system could be officially underway.  House Bill 3363 lays the foundation for a brand new agency, the state public defender office.   The goal is to bring more consistent legal representation for Illinois residents who can't afford an attorney.  Joining us now to discuss the rolled-out timeline is the bill's sponsor, State representative Dave Vella, who actually started his legal career as a public defender, before heading to Springfield.