The Illinois Supreme Court invites applications from individuals interested in serving as the initial Illinois State Public Defender, a new chief executive role overseeing an independent agency within the Judicial Branch. In this role, the selected individual will be the State’s leading advocate for Illinois’ public defenders and for the constitutional rights of people charged with offenses and represented by Illinois’ public defense system. The State Public Defender will also establish policies, practices, resources, and reforms necessary to ensure effective and meaningful
representation of defendants across Illinois.
Applications will be accepted beginning today, Wednesday, September 9, 2026. The deadline for submission is Friday, October 9, 2026. Submitted applications will be reviewed prior to selecting finalists, after which the Illinois Supreme Court will appoint an initial State Public Defender for a two-year term beginning January 1, 2027.