The Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender congratulates Judge Charles Beach II on his election as the new Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County.
Judge Beach is a former assistant public defender in our office and private attorney who was appointed to the bench in 2017. As a supervisory judge in the Pretrial Division, he played a pivotal role in the successful implementation of the Pretrial Fairness Act in Cook County in 2023. Judge Beach offers a compelling vision for the future of the Chief Judge’s Office, emphasizing accessibility, leveraging technology to enhance the court system's efficiency, and promoting increased transparency to improve public understanding.
We look forward to working with Judge Beach to ensure the Cook County Circuit Court is fair for our clients, respects our defenders, and adapts effectively to new challenges in the criminal and juvenile courts.
Chief judges have tremendous power to influence the experiences of people in the court system. The chief judge appoints the superintendent of the Juvenile Temporary Detention Center, who has responsibility for the care of our most vulnerable youth. The chief judge also appoints the leadership of Forensic Clinical Services, which assesses the fitness of our clients to stand trial. Additionally, the chief judge selects the presiding judges of each court division who oversee daily operations.
Chief Judge Tim Evans will leave an enduring mark on the court system that he oversaw for a historic eight terms. Judge Evans' progressive advocacy and forward-thinking reforms, including overseeing the end of money bond and his commitment to seeking alternatives to incarceration, have significantly improved our circuit court and will have a lasting impact on our communities.
We are eager to continue collaborating closely with the Office of the Chief Judge to create a more equitable and accessible court system for all residents of Cook County.