Illinois Judicial Ethics Committee Ethics Opinions
Free plain-English summaries of legal ethics opinions issued by the Illinois Judicial Ethics Committee, with full citations and source links on every page.
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Could an Illinois judge serve as president of a nonprofit board whose charity did not seek the judge’s fundraising help?
Yes, subject to former Rule 65B’s limits. The Committee specifically flagged possible use of the judge’s name on fundraising letterhead for review.
Could an Illinois judge speak or be honored at a group’s dinner that was not a fundraiser?
The Committee found no categorical bar, but said the judge’s role depended on the group’s litigation activity, positions, and effect on apparent independence and impartiality.
Could a college include an advisory-board list naming an Illinois judge in the same packet as a fundraising appeal?
Yes. The Committee allowed the board-member literature in the packet where the judge’s name was not directly used to solicit funds.
Could an Illinois judge ask the full Judicial Ethics Committee about recusal in a pending case?
No. The Committee said the judge could consult a judge facilitator, but advice from the full committee would involve nonjudge members and violate the former ex parte communication rule.
Did an Illinois judge have to report, disclose, or recuse after cutting off a lawyer’s attempted case discussion?
No. On the stated facts, the Committee found the judge’s prompt stop sufficient and said no ARDC report, disclosure, recusal, or reassignment was required.
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Legal ethics opinions from the Illinois Judicial Ethics Committee interpret the rules of professional conduct for working lawyers, in response to inquiries from members and committees. They are advisory, not binding like court discipline decisions, but courts and discipline boards treat formal opinions as substantial guidance on how the rules apply. Every opinion above has a plain-English question and short answer, plus a link to the original source on the bar's site.