News Room

The Circuit Court of Cook County today announced the appointment of Luis M. Gutierrez as court security services administrator. Gutierrez succeeds Jeffrey Pfotenhauer, who is retiring following distinguished service to the Court.

A search committee appointed by Chief Judge Charles S. Beach II has begun the process of identifying candidates for a new Director of Juvenile Services for the Circuit Court of Cook County.

CBS 2 Chicago's Sabrina Franza had the exclusive interview with Chief Judge Beach regarding the upcoming improvements to the Electronic Monitoring system. See her report here: https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/cook-county-chief-judge-charles-beach-changes-electronic-monitoring/

Judges from the Traffic Division of the Circuit Court of Cook County will participate in a Driver’s License Reinstatement Expo on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026, providing individuals with Cook County traffic cases an opportunity to address matters that may be preventing them from regaining driving privileges.

CBS 2's Sabrina Franza covered improvements made to the EM process. Here is her story: https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/cook-county-chief-judge-changes-electronic-monitoring-program/

Chicago Sun Times coverage of the Electronic Monitoring operational updates, posted by Violet Miller: https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2026/01/28/cook-county-electronic-monitoring-beach

WTTW's Matt Masterson's coverage of the Electronic Monitoring operational updates: https://news.wttw.com/2026/01/28/cook-county-s-chief-judge-announces-new-revisions-electronic-monitoring-program

A search committee appointed by Chief Judge Charles S. Beach II has begun the process of identifying candidates for a new Director of Juvenile Services for the Cook County Circuit Court.

The Office of the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County has implemented updated operational protocols governing Electronic Monitoring (EM) to ensure timely identification of violations, prompt judicial review and clear accountability across all involved agencies.

The Bridgeview Drug, Mental Health and Veterans Treatment Courts celebrated the commencement of five participants Monday.

Three Drug Court participants, one Veterans Treatment Court participant and one Mental Health Court participant were honored by court employees with certificates, gifts and applause during a ceremony led by the Hon. Kathaleen T. Lanahan, who is the judge for the Fifth Municipal District Problem-Solving Courts. 

Due to the extremely cold temperatures predicted for Friday, January 23, which may adversely impact the health and safety of court personnel and litigants, the Circuit Court of Cook County will be closed. The Skokie, Maywood and Markham courthouses will be open as warming centers.

The Pretrial Division will operate first appearance court, including newly charged domestic violence cases, on the holiday and weekend schedule. Juveniles who are in custody and scheduled for initial appearances or detention hearings will appear remotely.

The Office of the Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County is refunding overpayments of fees for court-ordered probation, supervision and community services.

As part of the new administration’s ongoing operational review of its non-judicial departments, a technical issue was identified in the Probation Department’s case management system that had prevented certain refunds for overpayments from being generated.  The issue, which affected a limited number of cases, has been fully corrected and refund checks have been issued.

WTTW Chicago's Matt Masterson's coverage of Chief Judge Beach's first month leading the judiciary: 

https://news.wttw.com/2026/01/05/cook-county-chief-judge-charles-beach-highlights-new-court-reforms-first-month-office

In the month since he was sworn in to lead the Circuit Court of Cook County, Chief Judge Charles S. Beach II has moved quickly to establish clearer lines of accountability, improve communication and transparency, and strengthen court operations.

Cook County officials today announced the completion of a comprehensive courthouse wireless connectivity project that concluded in November, significantly improving Wi-Fi signal strength and reliability across courthouse facilities countywide.

As part of the project, crews installed approximately 1,000 wireless access points to eliminate dead zones and strengthen wireless coverage throughout court buildings.

Following months of intensive work by the Juvenile Transition Committee and its affiliated workgroups, Chief Judge Charles S. Beach II announced a series of actions designed to modernize and humanize the Circuit Court of Cook County’s Juvenile Justice System.

During a meeting with committee members last week, Chief Judge Beach thanked the workgroups for their extensive analysis and recommendations, noting that juvenile justice reform remains a top priority for his new administration.

Cook County Courthouse warming centers open during cold weather.

Cook County Courthouse Warming Centers Open Amid Dangerous Wind Chills

The Children’s Room in the George N. Leighton Criminal Courthouse will reopen Monday, Dec. 15.

The Cook County Circuit Court’s Children’s Room program provides free, on-site child care for children whose parents or guardians must attend court. The program offers a safe, supervised space that allows adults to focus on their court matters knowing their children are nearby and well cared for.

Judges from the Circuit Court of Cook County are once again joining community partners to support children and families in need this holiday season.

Chief Judge Charles S. Beach II joined Brandis Friedman and WTTW's Chicago Tonight to discuss his vision and plans for the future of the Circuit Court of Cook County. Chief Judge Beach's segment begins at the 5:00:00 mark.

https://video.wttw.com/video/dec-11-2025-full-show-mlsj3u/

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