1994-04: Gift as Public Testimonial 

DISCLAIMER:  This Opinion interprets the 1993 Illinois Code of Judicial Conduct, which was superseded on January 1, 2023, by the 2023 Illinois Code of Judicial Conduct.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. 1994-04

March 22, 1994

TOPIC

Judge's acceptance of gift at public testimonial.

DIGEST

A judge may accept a gift in recognition of the judge's law-related extrajudicial activity.

REFERENCES

Illinois Supreme Court Rule 65C(4)(a) of the Code of Judicial Conduct, Canon 5 (145 Ill.2d R. 65).

FACTS

A judge along with an attorney was appointed by the Chief Judge to a panel to promote a judicial purpose. The panel's project was successfully concluded and the Chief Judge wished to give both the attorney and the judge a fancy pen set, the value of which was $162.00.

QUESTION

Can a judge accept an expensive pen set from the judge's presiding judge at a public appreciation ceremony honoring the judge for participation in a laudable law-related public endeavor?

OPINION

Yes. Illinois Supreme Court Rule 65C(4)(a) of the Code of Judicial Conduct provides: "a judge may accept a gift incident to a public testimonial to the judge..."