1997-06: Judge Serving on Board of Directors of a Nonprofit Corporation

DISCLAIMER:  This Opinion interprets the 1993 Illinois Code of Judicial Conduct, which was superseded on January 1, 2023, by the 2023 Illinois Code of Judicial Conduct.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. 1997-06

May 7, 1997

TOPIC

Judge serving on Board of Directors of a nonprofit corporation.

DIGEST

A judge may serve as a Director and/or officer of an educational nonprofit organization.

REFERENCES

Illinois Supreme Court Rule 65B; Illinois Judicial Ethics Opinion No. 96-21.

FACTS

A judge is serving without compensation as a director and treasurer of an educational nonprofit corporation that is organized for the sole purpose of financially supporting various educational programs of a school district that may need additional financial assistance. The organization does not advise nor make any policy or fact recommendations to the school district on any issues. The nonprofit organization is merely one that channels money where a need exists.

QUESTION

 May a judge serve on the Board of Directors and as Treasurer of a nonprofit educational corporation?

OPINION

The service of a judge as a director or an officer of a nonprofit educational organization is allowable under the Canon of Judicial Ethics (Rule 65B). However, there are certain limitations that restrict even this service. A judge should not serve in any capacity if the organization is conducted for "the economic or political advantage of its members" (Rule 65B) nor should service occur if "it is likely the organization will be engaged in proceedings that would ordinarily come before the judge or will be regularly engaged in adversary proceedings in any court" (Rule 65B(1)). Additionally, the judge may not allow his or her name to be used in any solicitation of funds nor have his or her name on any letterhead or stationery that is used to solicit funds. (Rule 65B(2)) IJEC Opinion No. 96-21 is not applicable to the above fact situation as the nonprofit educational organization is not making any recommendations nor providing any advice to the school district or its governing body.