Could an Illinois judge sponsor a Little League team and put the judge’s name on its uniforms?
Apply this to your situation
This page answers the general question as of 2000. Ask about yours and see what the current rules of professional conduct in your state say for your facts, with citations.
Plain-English summary
A juvenile-court judge wanted to sponsor a Little League team whose uniforms would carry the judge’s name. The team was not being used to raise funds, the judge was not running for reelection, and no special likelihood of players appearing before the judge was indicated.
The Committee found no impropriety in the proposed sponsorship. It concluded that the name on uniforms did not diminish public confidence, interfere with judicial duties, constitute political activity, or suggest players had special influence.
The opinion contrasted this nonfundraising activity with earlier opinions about judges participating in charitable fundraising.
Currency note
This opinion was issued in 2000 under the 1993 Illinois Code of Judicial Conduct. The Committee’s page says that Code was superseded on January 1, 2023, and does not assess the effect of the 2023 Code. Treat this page as historical context and verify the current Code before relying on its analysis.
Common questions
Q: Could the uniforms identify the sponsor as a judge?
A: Yes. The examples in the opinion used the judicial title with the judge’s name.
Q: Was fundraising part of the proposed sponsorship?
A: No. The stated facts expressly excluded fundraising.
Q: Did the Committee find a political activity violation?
A: No. It found the name on uniforms was not political activity on these facts.
Background and rules framework
The Committee considered former Illinois Supreme Court Rules 62A, 62B, 65A, 65B, 67, and 67C when evaluating judicial recreational activity and appearance of influence.
Citations and references
- Illinois Supreme Court Rules 62A, 62B, 65A, 65B, 67, and 67C.
See also
Source
- Landing page: Illinois Judicial Ethics Committee Opinion 00-3
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