2025 News Archive

Announcement, Press Release |

Beginning at 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025, the Circuit Court of Cook County will transition its website to a new domain: www.cookcountycourtil.gov.

The new “.Gov” address reflects the court’s ongoing commitment to transparency, trust, and security. The “.Gov” domains are reserved exclusively for government organizations, offering the public a more official and reliable point of access to court information and services.

Announcement |

The Circuit Court of Cook County is required by state law to fill a vacancy for the office of commissioner of the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners to serve the balance of a term ending November 30, 2027. The court is accepting applications for appointment to the position, which is for one of three commissioners constituting the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners.

In the News |

WBBM News Radio 780's Nancy Harty covered Wednesday's Drug Treatment Court graduation in Skokie.

https://www.audacy.com/wbbm780/news/local/cook-county-drug-court-grads-get-convictions-wiped

Announcement, In the News |

CBS 2 Chicago visited Skokie's Drug Treatment Court graduation ceremony on Wednesday afternoon.

https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/cook-county-circuit-court-drug-treatment-graduates-fresh-start/

Announcement, Press Release |

Kalea Blanke had struggled with drug addiction since she was 14 years old, oftern stealing mail to fund her habit.

After getting in trouble with the law, the now 35-year-old Blanke was assigned to the Skokie Drug Treatment Court, led by the Hon. Michele Gemskie. There, she was offered a path to start over.

Announcement, Press Release |

This summer, the Circuit Court of Cook County’s Domestic Violence Division, along with Loyola University of Chicago, brought together members of the judiciary, legal practitioners, victim advocates, supervised child visitation and safe exchange centers, and Partner Abuse Intervention Programs (PAIP) to help develop a continuum of services aimed at achieving long-term justice for families experiencing domestic violence.

In the News |

The Chicago Tribune provided coverage of Judge Beach's victory in the 2025 Chief Judge election.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/10/ctc-l-evans-out-chief-judge/

In the News |

Chicago Daily Law Bulletin provided coverage of Judge Charles S. Beach II's election to Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County.

https://www.lawyerport.com/chicagolawbulletin/charles-s-beach-ii-wins-cook-county-chief-judge-election-20250910

In the News |

Injustice Watch provided coverage of Judge Beach's election to the Chief Judge position. The new term begins Dec. 1, 2025.

https://www.injusticewatch.org/judges/court-administration/2025/charles-beach-cook-county-chief-judge/

Announcement, Press Release |

The Hon. Charles Beach was elected today to a first term overseeing the Circuit Court of Cook County. Beach secured the victory by a vote of 144 to 109, with one spoiled ballot.