News Room

Chief Judge Charles S. Beach II today announced the appointment of William Steward III, Ph.D., as Acting Superintendent of the Cook County Juvenile Temporary Detention Center (JTDC), effective Dec. 1, following the retirement of Superintendent Leonard Dixon.

Chief Judge Charles S. Beach II today announced a restructuring of the Circuit Court of Cook County with the creation of three deputy chief positions. The new deputy chiefs of criminal operations, civil operations, and first appearance court operations will provide guidance on important court matters and serve as a resource to judges across the Circuit. The restructuring is part of a broader effort to strengthen court operations, support the judiciary and reinforce public trust in the Court.

Twenty-four participants in the Cook County Circuit Court’s Drug, Veterans and Mental Health Treatment Courts celebrated their commencements this week at ceremonies held at the Criminal, Rolling Meadows and Skokie Courthouses.

Cook County's downtown Marriage Court got a makeover and is reopening at its regular lower level County Building space on Tuesday, December 9.

The Marriage Court had temporarily relocated to the Daley Center on October 27 to allow time to remodel the space with fresh paint, lighting, signage and flooring.

Chief Judge Charles S. Beach II announced today that he is establishing a focused committee to urgently review and improve communication procedures related to alleged violations within the Circuit Court of Cook County’s Electronic Monitoring (EM) program.

Chief Judge Beach said recent events highlight the need for clearly defined roles and timely information-sharing among the agencies involved in pretrial supervision.

ABC 7's Michelle Gallardo's coverage of Chief Judge Beach's Investiture Ceremony

https://abc7chicago.com/post/new-cook-county-circuit-court-chief-judge-charles-beach-ii-sworn-replacing-tim-evans-served-20-years-role/18234244/

WGN TV's Patrick Elwood provided Investiture Ceremony coverage for Chief Judge Beach's first day.

https://wgntv.com/news/cook-county/charlie-beach-vows-justice-and-fairness-as-cook-countys-new-chief-judge/

Sophie Sherry, of the Chicago Sun Times provided first day coverage of Chief Judge Beach's tenure.

https://chicago.suntimes.com/public-safety/2025/12/01/charles-beach-timothy-evans-cook-county-chief-judge

Fox 32's Paris Schutz's coverage of Chief Judge Beach's first day.

https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/new-cook-county-chief-judge

WTTW Chicago's Matt Masterson's coverage of Chief Judge Beach's Investiture Ceremony.

https://news.wttw.com/2025/12/01/charles-beach-sworn-cook-county-s-new-chief-judge

Chicago Tribune's Madeline Buckley's coverage of Chief Judge Beach's Investiture Ceremony

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/12/01/cook-county-chief-judge-charles-beach-oath/

Judge Charles S. Beach II was sworn in today as Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County, marking the start of a new chapter for one of the largest unified court systems in the nation. Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice P. Scott Neville administered the oath of office during an investiture ceremony held at the Ogilvie Auditorium at Chicago-Kent College of Law.

The Chicago Daily Law Bulletin's Grace Barbic had the Day 1 exclusive on Chief Judge Beach's Investiture Day.

https://www.lawyerport.com/chicagolawbulletin/in-new-chief-judge-role-beach-planning-clean-slate-of-changes-20251201

The Office of the Chief Judge extends our deepest concern to the individual who was injured, and we take this matter extremely seriously. Any incident in which someone is harmed is unacceptable, and public safety remains our top priority.

WHAT:
The Circuit Court of Cook County will conduct an investiture ceremony to install the incoming Chief Judge, the Honorable Charles S. Beach II. Members of the media are invited to cover the event as the Court marks a new chapter focused on transparency, modernization, and public service.

Illinois Supreme Court Chief Justice P. Scott Neville will administer the oath of office.

NBC 5 Reporter Courtney SIsk covered Friday's Adoption Day Ceremony. See her story below: https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/happiest-day-in-any-court-12-children-join-forever-families-on-adoption-day/3854377/?amp=1

At a recent hearing at the Avondale Restorative Justice Community Court, the Hon. Beatriz Santiago asked participants some uncomfortable questions.

Why hadn’t one young man been talking to his caseworker? Why wasn’t another preparing for his GED — and did he need help? One participant was having such a difficult time that Judge Santiago stepped out with her for a private conversation.

Twelve children will join eight permanent, loving families this Friday during a National Adoption Day ceremony at the Richard J. Daley Center.

Today, Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans was honored by the Problem-Solving Court judges with the inaugural Judge Timothy C. Evans Justice Innovation Award during the joint commencement ceremony for the Mental Health Cours and Drug Treatment Court. 

This new annual award recognizes Chief Judge Evans’ decades of leadership in expanding Cook County’s Problem-Solving Courts and strengthening pathways to treatment, support, and accountability.

Today, in the lead-up to Veterans Day, our Veterans Treatment Court in Skokie held a successful graduation ceremony and welcomed the return of the Jesse Brown VA Mobile Medical Unit. The event reflected the Court's ongoing commitment to supporting veterans on their path to stability, recovery, and reintegration.

The Circuit Court of Cook County’s Veterans Treatment Court in the Second Municipal District will again host the Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Mobile Medical Unit (MMU) on Friday, Nov. 7, in conjunction with a scheduled Veterans Treatment Court graduation ceremony. The MMU will be available from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside the Skokie Courthouse, 5600 Old Orchard Road, to provide eligible veterans with access to no-cost medical and social services.

The Polish Daily News provided coverage of the Oct. 24, graduation of the Avondale Restorative Justice Community Court. Read their story here: https://www.dziennikzwiazkowy.com/artykul/133432,od-rozgniewanych-do-szczesliwych-rekordowa-liczba-absolwentow-sadu-sprawiedliwosci-naprawczej-na-jackowie

The Cook County Chronicle shared our positive news regarding the Oct. 24 graduation ceremony at the Avondale Restorative Justice Community Court. Read their story here: https://chronicleillinois.com/government/avondale-restorative-justice-grads-get-second-chance/

Fox 32 Chicago provided coverage of the Oct. 24 graduation of 27 RJCC participants in Avondale. See their story here: https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/1729950

WBEZ Radio included news of the Oct. 24 Avondale RJCC in their Oct. 24 broadcast. You can listen to the clip here: https://podcast-stream.wbez.org/newscast/2025/10/24/2025-10-24-T1600.mp3

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.

Zachary Christian dropped out of high school at 16 and never thought he would have to open another textbook. He had a job and didn’t feel like he needed any more school. Then, in May 2023, at the age of 22, he was charged with the aggravated unlawful use of a loaded firearm. 

Cook County’s downtown Marriage Court is getting a makeover.

Marriage Court will temporarily relocate to the Daley Center on Monday, Oct. 27, to allow time to remodel the current lower level County Building space with fresh paint, lighting, signage and flooring.

Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans, today, issued General Administrative Order 2025-10, emphasizing the applicability of the common law privilege against civil arrest for individuals attending court proceedings in Cook County.

Shardaa Gray, of CBS 2 Chicago, covered the Tails of Redemption program during a recent visit to our Domestic Violence Courthouse at 555 W. Harrison. Here is her story: https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/shelter-dogs-cook-county-jail-inmates-domestic-violence-courthouse-therapy-dogs/