Charles Beach

Charles S. Beach II (born 1969) is an American attorney and jurist who serves on the Circuit Court of Cook County. On September 10, 2025, he was elected Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County by a vote of 144 to 109, defeating eight–term incumbent Timothy C. Evans; one ballot was reported spoiled. His three–year term as chief judge began on December 1, 2025.

Legal career After law school, Beach worked in the Cook County Public Defender's Office and later clerked for Illinois Appellate Court Justice Judith Koehler. He entered private practice and eventually led his own law firm, focusing largely on criminal defense. He co-founded the Chicago Bar Association's pro bono Statutory Summary Suspension Program and wrote and lectured on DUI and traffic law.

Judicial service In 2017, the Illinois Supreme Court appointed Beach as a circuit judge in Cook County's 6th Subcircuit to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of Judge Richard C. Cooke. His appointment took effect September 15, 2017, and ran through December 3, 2018.

In May 2018, circuit judges selected Beach to serve as an associate judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County. He later served in the court's Pretrial Division, where he presided over bail hearings, and in the Law Division on a civil motion calendar.

Beach then ran unopposed in 2022 and was elected as a circuit judge from the 6th Subcircuit. He assumed office December 5, 2022.

Election as Chief Judge On September 10, 2025, Beach was elected Chief Judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County by his fellow circuit judges, receiving 144 votes to Evans's 109, with one spoiled ballot. His three-year term is scheduled to begin December 1, 2025.

Personal life According to his campaign biography, Beach is married and has three children.