USA - Illinois. Illinois governor signs reform of state's death-penalty defense fund

Illinois governor signs reform of state's death-penalty defense fund. Illinois has a new law requiring more transparency in a state fund that helps cover legal expenses in death penalty cases. Gov. Pat Quinn signed House Bill 869 into law last week. It requires defense attorneys to provide detailed cost estimates before taking on cases, and private investigators and others hired by the defense teams must disclose their hourly rates in advance. Judges also must verify what expenses for travel and lodging are reasonable and necessary. The state treasurer's office now may question bills submitted to the fund and return them to the court unpaid for further review. The fund was called into question last year after the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported the fund was prone to questionable charges.