Ezel / Ethics Opinions / JUDICIAL-IL

Could an Illinois judge speak at a college fundraising dinner and be identified in event invitations?

Short answer Yes. The Committee read amended Rule 65B(2) to allow the judge to speak or be honored and to permit ordinary promotional material to name the judge, without implying personal solicitation.
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JUDICIAL-IL
Issued
September 16, 2010

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This page answers the general question as of 2010. 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 Not binding precedent.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

A nonprofit college invited a judge to speak at a fundraising dinner and wanted to identify the judge in invitations and other event material. The college did not ordinarily have matters before the judge.

The Committee concluded that the 2006 amendment to former Rule 65B(2) allowed a judge to serve as a speaker or guest of honor at this kind of event. It also allowed the judge's name, title and biographical information in customary promotional materials. The materials could not imply that the judge personally solicited funds, undermine judicial dignity or call impartiality into question.

Currency note

The Committee’s page states that this opinion interprets the 1993 Illinois Code of Judicial Conduct, which was superseded on January 1, 2023. It does not assess whether the 2023 Code changes the analysis. Verify the current Code before relying on it.

In practice

The opinion permitted the described college dinner role and ordinary advance identification of the judge as speaker or honoree.

Common questions

Q: Could the judge be the guest speaker?

A: Yes. The Committee applied the amended Rule 65B(2) to the nonprofit college fundraiser.

Q: Could the invitation name the judge?

A: Yes. The opinion allowed customary identification of the speaker or honoree, without implying personal solicitation.

Background and rules framework

The Committee applied former Illinois Supreme Court Rule 65B(2) as amended in 2006 and distinguished its opinions under the earlier rule.

Citations and references

  • Illinois Supreme Court Rule 65B(2).
  • IJEC Opinions 96-3 and 99-5.

See also

Source

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