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Special recognition acknowledging March 18 as National Public Defender Day in Lake County.
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SPECIAL RECOGNITION
WHEREAS, March 18 is celebrated annually as National Public Defender Day, commemorating the landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling of Gideon v. Wainwright in 1963; and
WHEREAS, this 1963 decision affirmed that the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution guaranteed the right to legal counsel for all individuals facing imprisonment, even if they could not afford to hire an attorney; and
WHEREAS, the Gideon v. Wainwright decision led to the creation of public defense agencies across the United States to ensure equal access to justice under the law; and
WHEREAS, the Lake County Public Defender’s Office was established in 1972 with the appointment of its first Public Defender and has since served the residents of Lake County with professionalism and dedication; and
WHEREAS, since 1972, there have been seven public defenders appointed; and
WHEREAS, Gregory Ticsay is the current Lake County Public Defender; and
WHEREAS, the Lake County Public Defender’s Office currently has 48 employees, including support staff, social workers, investigators, and attorneys who work collaboratively to support the constitutional rights of their clients; and
WHEREAS, public defenders and public defense professionals are part of a defense community for those in need, providing important, professional work every day in both criminal and civil cases; and
WHEREAS, Lake County recognizes the work of public defense attorneys is vital to our communities, as they safeguard due process, strengthen public confidence in the justice system, and ensure fairness within our courts.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RECOGNIZED, by this County Board of Lake County, Illinois, that March 18 is National Public Defender Day and the Lake County Board thanks the entire Lake County Public Defender’s Office for their work serving those in need of their services.
DATED at Waukegan, Illinois, on March 10, 2026.