Ezel / Ethics Opinions / JUDICIAL-IL

Could an Illinois judge speak, sit at the head table, or introduce an honoree at a charitable fundraiser?

Short answer The Committee barred speaking or introducing an honoree or speaker at a fundraiser, but allowed head-table seating if the judge was neither speaker nor guest of honor.
Bar
JUDICIAL-IL
Issued
March 6, 1996

Apply this to your situation

This page answers the general question as of 1996. Ask about yours and see what the current rules of professional conduct in your state say for your facts, with citations.

Disclaimer: Advisory only. Not binding precedent.
About this page: The plain-English summary, reader guidance, and Q&A below were written by Ezel based on the official ethics opinion. The original opinion (linked on this page) is the authoritative source for any reliance.

Plain-English summary

The Committee addressed three proposed roles: speaking at a university scholarship fundraiser, sitting at a charity event’s head table, and introducing the honoree or speaker at a law school fundraiser.

Former Rule 65B(2) barred the judge from speaking or serving as guest of honor at a fundraising event. The Committee extended the speaking restriction to introducing the honoree or speaker.

It allowed the judge to sit at the head table if the judge was not the speaker or guest of honor. The opinion distinguished an event that was not a fundraiser.

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 The Committee’s page says that Code was superseded on January 1, 2023, and does not assess the effect of the 2023 Code.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 speak at the scholarship fundraiser?

A: No. The Committee applied former Rule 65B(2)’s speaking prohibition.

Q: Could the judge sit at the head table?

A: Yes, provided the judge was neither speaker nor guest of honor.

Q: Could the judge introduce the law school event’s honoree?

A: No. The Committee treated the introduction as prohibited speaking at a fundraiser.

Background and rules framework

The Committee applied former Illinois Supreme Court Rule 65B(2) and discussed IJEC Opinions 94-4, 94-7, 94-9, 93-3, and 93-4 concerning fundraising, honorees, and nonfundraising events.

Citations and references

  • Illinois Supreme Court Rule 65B(2).
  • IJEC Opinions 94-4, 94-7, 94-9, 93-3, and 93-4.

See also

Source

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