As population and crime rates continue to grow, county officials are asking the state to aid the public defense department to meet demands.

The increase in crime has led to overcrowding in jails, which can be helped by hiring more public defense lawyers, said Kenneth Johnson, DeKalb County public defender.

Having more public defenders would help eliminate inmates staying in jail for long periods of time while awaiting trial, Johnson said.

“With more funding we can handle cases faster and get them out of jail quicker,” he said.

The need for more public defenders is a problem, in part, because of the large number of larceny cases in the county, said DeKalb County board chairwoman Ruth Anne Tobias.

“DeKalb is in the top three of 14 counties in northern Illinois for larceny and theft crimes,” Tobias said.

Being a university community may also contribute to the increased workload for public defenders, she said.

The need has grown to hire more lawyers because many students are involved in the cases that they deal with, Tobias said.

There are six public defenders in the DeKalb County office.

State funding would provide more staff for the public defenders and allow them to have more investigative time and preparation for cases, Tobias said.

A uniform crime report shows DeKalb County had no murder cases in 2003. However, Tobias said there were several murder cases in 2004.

“Some of the more serious cases can be open for up to two years,” Johnson said.

The public defenders office in DeKalb averages about 100 to 150 felonies per month, and is also beginning another murder trial in two weeks, he said.

While public defenders continue to deal with large numbers of cases that can be costly, county board administrators said the state has not made a contribution.

“Right now, the state is not providing any money to the public defender’s office,” said deputy county administrator Gary Hanson.

Hanson said the public defender’s office runs on a budget of about $650,000 a year, which is provided by the county board.

County board members said they are not expecting to get additional funding this year, but the board will have to make cuts in other programs if the state decides not to provide funding.

“We are not asking for a particular dollar amount,” Tobias said.

State’s attorneys offices that include a college or university in its area receive additional funding, Tobias said.

She said she would like the same for the county’s public defenders.

“Everyone deserves a good defense,” Tobias said.