William Cousins, Jr. (October 29, 1927 – January 20, 2018) was an American lawyer, judge, and member of the Chicago City Council.

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.

[2] 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.

During his time on the City Council, Cousins was considered an opponent of the Democratic political machine that was led by Richard J. Daley.