1994-21: Judge’s Attendance at Political Gathering 

DISCLAIMER:  This Opinion interprets the 1993 Illinois Code of Judicial Conduct, which was superseded on January 1, 2023, by the 2023 Illinois Code of Judicial Conduct.  This Opinion does not consider or address whether the 2023 Code affects the analysis or conclusion of the Opinion.  A table cross-referencing the 1993 Code to the 2023 Code can be found at IJEC CORRELATION TABLE.

IJEC Opinion No. 1994-21 

September 27, 1994 

TOPIC

Judge's attendance and introduction at a political gathering.

DIGEST

A judge, whether or not a candidate for election or retention, may attend a political gathering and may be introduced at that gathering.

REFERENCES

Illinois Supreme Court Rule 67 of the Code of Judicial Conduct, Canon 7 (145 Ill.2d R. 67); Terminology Section, Illinois Code of Judicial Conduct.

FACTS

Two judges plan to attend an annual dinner and election rally held by a political party. The judges, together with the other public officials in attendance, will be introduced by name and position at the function. One of the judges is a candidate for election, the other is not.

QUESTIONS

1. May a judge, whether or not a candidate for election or retention, attend a political gathering?

2. May a judge, whether or not a candidate for election or retention, be introduced at a political gathering?

OPINIONS

Question 1

Since the amendment of Illinois Supreme Court Rule 67, effective August 6, 1993, judges are expressly permitted to attend political gatherings. Illinois Supreme Court Rule 67B(1)(a)(i) provides:

1. A judge or candidate may, except as prohibited by law:

     a. at any time

     i. purchase tickets for and attend political gatherings;

The term "judge" is defined in the Terminology Section of the Illinois Code of Judicial Conduct to include "circuit and associate judges and judges of the appellate and supreme court." Based upon these provisions of the Code of Judicial Conduct, all judges, whether or not a candidate for election or retention, may attend political gatherings.

Question 2

Illinois Supreme Court Rule 67 which governs a judge's political activity, does not directly address the question of whether a judge may be introduced at a political function. The Committee is of the opinion, however, that the provisions of Illinois Supreme Court Rule 67, when read together, permit such introductions.

First, a judge who is a candidate for public election or retention may speak at political gatherings in his or her own behalf. See Illinois Supreme Court Rule 67B(1)(b)(i). Certainly, if a judge may, consistent with Illinois Supreme Court Rule 67, speak to a group the judge may, consistent with Illinois Supreme Court Rule 67, be introduced to the group.

Second, a judge who is not a candidate may attend political functions and also "identify himself or herself as a member of a political party." See Illinois Supreme Court Rule 67B(1)(a)(ii). Since a simple introduction would do no more than recognize a judge's attendance and by implication, if not expressly, identify the judge's alignment with the political party sponsoring the function, the Code would appear to permit introductions of judges at political events.

In reaching these conclusions, the Committee has also considered the fact that a judge attending a social, political, or other type of function would normally during the course of the event introduce himself or herself to others in attendance. These "private" introductions do not qualitatively differ from a more "public" introduction which is the subject of this inquiry. The Committee believes that both types of introductions are permissible under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 67.