Could an Illinois judge accept an appointment to the U.S. Institute of Peace and its honorarium?
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.
Plain-English summary
A judge was offered a presidential appointment to the U.S. Institute of Peace, a federally created institution focused on international peace and conflict resolution. It met six times annually and provided a small honorarium and Washington travel expenses.
The Committee treated the Institute’s educational work as fitting former Rule 64C. It found that the described work did not compromise impartiality, create expected litigation, or conflict with judicial duties.
It also found the honorarium and expenses consistent with former Rules 66A and 66B and no more than other members received.
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 The Committee’s page says that Code was superseded on January 1, 2023, and does not assess the effect of the 2023 Code.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 accept the appointment?
A: Yes, on the Institute’s described work and meeting schedule.
Q: Did the meetings interfere with judicial duties?
A: The Committee found that six one-day sessions per year did not conflict with those duties.
Q: Could the judge receive the honorarium and travel expenses?
A: Yes. The Committee found the described payments consistent with former Rules 66A and 66B.
Background and rules framework
The Committee applied former Illinois Supreme Court Rule 64C to the Institute’s educational mission and Rules 66A and 66B to the honorarium and travel reimbursement.
Citations and references
- Illinois Supreme Court Rules 64C, 66A, and 66B.
See also
Source
- Landing page: Illinois Judicial Ethics Committee Opinion 1996-24
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