Ezel / Ethics Opinions / JUDICIAL-IL

Could an Illinois judge receive a public-service award at a dinner where pledge cards were distributed?

Short answer No. The Committee treated the judge as a guest of honor and the dinner as primarily a fundraiser, despite ticket prices covering only meals.
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JUDICIAL-IL
Issued
May 1, 2001

Apply this to your situation

This page answers the general question as of 2001. 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 Not binding precedent.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

Two judges and other officials were invited to receive public-service plaques at a charitable dinner. Tickets covered meal costs, but pledge cards and a speaker’s appeal would seek donations.

The Committee concluded that award recipients were guests of honor and that the dinner was primarily a fundraising event. Former Rule 65B(2) barred a judge from serving as speaker or guest of honor at that event, although mere attendance was permitted.

The Committee said the outcome would differ if fundraising were merely incidental to the gathering; the planned solicitation made fundraising its primary purpose.

Currency note

This opinion was issued in 2001 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 The Committee’s page says that Code was superseded on January 1, 2023, and does not assess the effect of the 2023 Code.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: Did cost-only ticket prices make the dinner nonfundraising?

A: No. The pledge cards and appeal for donations made fundraising primary.

Q: Could the judge receive the plaque?

A: No. The Committee treated receipt of the award as guest-of-honor status at a fundraiser.

Q: Could the judge attend without the honor?

A: The former rule allowed mere attendance.

Background and rules framework

The Committee applied former Illinois Supreme Court Rule 65B(2) and discussed IJEC Opinions 93-4 and 96-3 on honors and fundraising.

Citations and references

  • Illinois Supreme Court Rule 65B(2).
  • IJEC Opinions 93-4 and 96-3.

See also

Source

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