Could an Illinois judge accept a pen set from the chief judge at a public ceremony recognizing law-related service?
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This page answers the general question as of 1994. 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 chief judge wanted to give a $162 pen set to a judge and an attorney after they completed a panel project serving a judicial purpose.
The Committee approved the judge’s acceptance of the gift at a public appreciation ceremony. It relied on former Rule 65C(4)(a), which permitted a gift incident to a public testimonial to the judge.
Currency note
This opinion was issued in 1994 under the 1993 Illinois Code of Judicial Conduct. The Committee’s archive says that Code was superseded on January 1, 2023, and does not assess the effect of the 2023 Code.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 judge accept the pen set?
A: Yes. The Committee applied the public-testimonial exception.
Q: What was the occasion for the gift?
A: A public appreciation ceremony honoring the judge’s completed law-related project.
Background and rules framework
The opinion applied former Illinois Supreme Court Rule 65C(4)(a) to a gift incident to a public testimonial for judicial service.
Citations and references
- Illinois Supreme Court Rule 65C(4)(a).
See also
Source
- Landing page: Illinois Judicial Ethics Committee Opinion 1994-04
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