New Public Defender In Peoria County

(Peoria, IL) -- There will be a new face as the Public Defender in Peoria County. The Peoria County Board approved a contract with Joel Brown the be the head of that department. Brown is taking the place of Thomas Penn, Jr. Penn allegedly used a portion of grant money to pay his wife. The position Brown is filling is part time, but he will oversee 29 staff members in the Public Defender’s Office.