Could an Illinois judge chair the bar foundation’s fundraising Fellows and appear on solicitation letterhead?
Apply this to your situation
This page answers the general question as of 1995. Ask about yours and see what the current rules of professional conduct in your state say for your facts, with citations.
Plain-English summary
The Fellows of the Illinois State Bar Association raised funds for foundation projects concerning law, the legal system, and justice administration. A judge was asked to chair the group; the judge’s name and title would appear on fundraising letterhead.
The Committee allowed the chair role under former Rule 64C, including helping plan fundraising and making recommendations to grant-making agencies. It also permitted the judge’s name on general solicitation letterhead because the organization’s projects fit that rule.
The judge could not personally sign solicitation letters. The Committee treated a signature as direct public fundraising, which Rule 64C prohibited for judges.
Currency note
This opinion was issued in 1997 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 The Committee’s page says that Code was superseded on January 1, 2023, and does not assess the effect of the 2023 Code.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 judge chair the Fellows?
A: Yes. The Committee treated its projects as concerning law and justice administration.
Q: Could solicitation letterhead show the judge’s name?
A: Yes, for this Rule 64C organization.
Q: Could the judge sign the fundraising letters?
A: No. The Committee treated signing them as prohibited direct solicitation.
Background and rules framework
The Committee applied former Illinois Supreme Court Rules 64A and 64C to law-related organization service and fundraising. It distinguished Rule 65’s treatment of other charitable activities and cited IJEC Opinions 93-3 and 93-5.
Citations and references
- Illinois Supreme Court Rules 64A, 64C, and 65.
- IJEC Opinions 93-3 and 93-5.
See also
Source
- Landing page: Illinois Judicial Ethics Committee Opinion 1995-22
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