In this case, the defendant repeatedly asked the trial court if he could fire his assistant public defender and represent himself. The trial court repeatedly refused these requests.
The Second District reversed, finding that no exception applied to prevent the defendant from exercising his constitutional right of self representation.
The case is People v. Albea
http://www.illinoiscourts.gov/Opinions/AppellateCourt/2017/2ndDistrict/2150598.pdf