William Cousins (judge)


William Cousins, Jr. was an American lawyer, judge, and member of the Chicago City Council.

Early life

Cousins was born in Swiftown, Mississippi, and was an African-American. He moved with his family to Memphis, Tennessee. Cousins and his family then moved to Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from DuSable High School in Chicago, in 1945. Cousins received his bachelor's degree in political science, from University of Illinois in 1948 and his law degree from Harvard Law School in 1951. He served in the United States Army during World War II and was a commissioned a lieutenant colonel. He practiced law in Chicago and served as a Cook County assistant state's attorney.

Chicago City Council

Cousins was a Republican, but left the party during the 1964 elections after the nomination of Barry Goldwater, an opponent of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and became a Democrat. In 1967, he defeated incumbent James A. Condon. During his time on the City Council, Cousins was considered an opponent of the Democratic machine led by Richard J. Daley. Cousins served on the Chicago City Council from 1967 to 1976. He was succeeded by Marian Humes, an ally of John Stroger.

Judicial career

He then served as an Illinois Circuit Court judge from 1976 to 1992. In 1979, he ruled the death penalty was unconstitutional. In 1992, he was elected to the Illinois Appellate Court and served until 2002.

Retirement and death

Cousins died at the University of Chicago Hospital in Chicago, Illinois.