Announcement, Press Release |
Ahead of his Dec. 1 swearing-in as Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, Judge Charles S. Beach II, today announced the formation of two transition committees to guide a seamless leadership change and support the court’s continued service to the public with integrity, efficiency, and accessibility.
The Transition Steering Committee and Advisory Committee bring together judges, justice partners, community leaders, and policy experts to help shape early administrative and operational priorities under Judge Beach’s incoming leadership.
"I am profoundly honored to serve the people of Cook County. My immediate focus is elevating our judicial system to the highest standards of transparency and public trust,” Judge Beach said. “Moving forward, we are committed to implementing changes that will fundamentally instill the principles of good governance across the Cook County Judiciary, reaffirming its standing as an equal and independent branch of government."
The transition’s structure is designed to reflect values of good governance, communication, data-driven decision making, and integrity, ensuring the new administration begins with clear priorities and inclusive input from across the justice system.
Transition Steering Committee
Chaired by the Hon. Michael Barrett, with the Hon. Mary Cay Marubio and the Hon. Susana Ortiz serving as vice chairs, the Steering Committee will oversee the entire transition process, support the work of subcommittees, and identify additional needs to be included in the final transition report.
Members include: Hon. Sunil Bhave • Hon. Kevin Cunningham • Hon. Sondra Denmark • Hon. Robert Harris • Hon. Diana Kenworthy • Hon. John Lyke • Hon. Tom Sianis • Hon. Katie Vahey • Hon. Bridget Duignan • Hon. Nichole Patton
“Our goal is to ensure operational readiness on day one — to identify what’s working well, where improvements can be made, and how best to align resources with the court’s mission of fair, timely, and transparent justice,” Judge Barrett said. “This is a highly collaborative effort across all divisions, guided by data, experience, and shared purpose.”
Advisory Committee
Chaired by Brendan Shiller, founder of the West Side Justice Center and partner at Shiller Law Offices, with Paula Wolff of the Illinois Justice Project as co-chair, the Advisory Committee brings together subject-matter experts and civic leaders to provide diverse perspectives on policy, equity, and access to justice.
Members include representatives from labor, legal aid, bar associations, academia, community advocacy, and local government. Honorary members representing major justice partners and elected offices — including county, state, and federal leaders — will also serve in an advisory capacity throughout the transition process.
Next Steps
In the coming weeks, additional Judicial Policy Committees and priority workgroups will be announced to address specific goals in areas such as technology, access to justice, and court operations. These working groups will deliver recommendations that support a smooth transition and help set the court’s direction for Judge Beach’s tenure.
About the Circuit Court of Cook County
The Circuit Court of Cook County is one of the largest unified court systems in the United States, serving more than five million residents across Chicago and suburban Cook County through its Criminal, Civil, Domestic Relations, County, Probate, Chancery, and Juvenile Justice divisions.
Media Contact: ocj.press@cookcountyil.gov
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