PREAMBLE & SCOPE 

[1] An independent, fair, and impartial judiciary is indispensable to our system of justice. The 
United States legal system is based upon the principle that an independent, impartial, and 
competent judiciary, composed of judges with integrity, will interpret and apply the law. 
Thus, the judiciary plays a central role in preserving justice and the rule of law. Inherent in 
the Rules contained in the Code of Judicial Conduct (Code) are the precepts that judges, individually 
and collectively, must respect and honor the judicial office as a public trust and strive to maintain 
and enhance confidence in the legal system. 
[2] Judges should maintain the dignity of judicial office and avoid both impropriety and the 
appearance of impropriety in their professional and personal lives. They should aspire at all times 
to conduct that ensures the greatest possible public confidence in their independence, impartiality, 
integrity, and competence. 
[3] The Code establishes standards for the ethical conduct of judges and judicial candidates. The 
Code is intended to guide and assist judges in maintaining the highest standards of judicial and 
personal conduct and to provide a basis for regulating their conduct through the Illinois Judicial 
Inquiry Board and the Illinois Courts Commission. 
[4] The Code governs a judge’s personal and judicial activities conducted in person, on paper, and 
by telephone or other electronic means. A violation of the Code may occur when a judge uses the 
Internet, including social networking sites, to post comments or other materials such as links to 
websites, articles, or comments authored by others, photographs, cartoons, jokes, or any other 
words or images that convey information or opinion. Violations may occur even if a judge’s 
distribution of a communication is restricted to family and friends and is not accessible to the 
public. Judges must carefully monitor their social media accounts to ensure that no communication 
can be reasonably interpreted as suggesting a bias or prejudice; an ex parte communication; the 
misuse of judicial power or prestige; a violation of restrictions on charitable, financial, or political 
activities; a comment on a pending or impending case; a basis for disqualification; or an absence 
of judicial independence, impartiality, integrity, or competence. 
[5] The Code consists of four Canons, numbered Rules under each Canon, and Comments that 
generally follow and explain each Rule. The Policy and Scope and Terminology sections provide 
additional guidance in interpreting and applying the Code. The numbering of the Code is patterned 
on the American Bar Association Model Code of Judicial Conduct (rev. 2010), reserving numbers 
1Effective January 1, 2023 -1- 
for provisions not incorporated in Illinois. 
[6] The Canons state principles of judicial ethics that all judges must observe. Although a judge may 
be disciplined only for violating a Rule, the Canons provide important guidance in interpreting the 
Rules. Where a Rule contains a permissive term, such as “may” or “should,” the conduct being 
addressed is committed to the personal and professional discretion of the judge or candidate in 
question, and no disciplinary action should be taken for action or inaction within the bounds of such 
discretion.  
[7] The Comments that accompany the Rules serve two functions. First, they provide guidance 
regarding the purpose, meaning, and proper application of the Rules. They contain explanatory 
material and, in some instances, provide examples of permitted or prohibited conduct. Comments 
neither add to nor subtract from the binding obligations set forth in the Rules. Therefore, when a 
Comment contains the terms “must” or “shall,” it does not mean that the Comment itself is binding 
or enforceable; it signifies that the Rule in question, properly understood, is obligatory as to the 
conduct at issues.  
[8] Second, the Canons combined with the Comments identify aspirational goals for judges. To 
implement fully the principles of this Code as articulated in the Canons, judges should strive to 
exceed the standards of conduct established by the Rules, holding themselves to the highest ethical 
standards and seeking to achieve those aspirational goals, thereby enhancing the dignity of the 
judicial office. 
[9] The Rules of the Code are rules of reason that should be applied consistent with constitutional 
requirements, statutes, other court rules, and decisional law and with due regard for all relevant 
circumstances. The Rules should not be interpreted to impinge upon the essential independence of 
judges in making judicial decisions.  
[10] Although the black letter of the Rules is binding and enforceable, it is not contemplated that 
every transgression will result in the imposition of discipline. Whether discipline is imposed 
should be determined through a reasonable and reasoned application of the Rules and should 
depend upon factors such as the seriousness of the conduct, the facts and circumstances that existed 
at the time of the conduct, the extent of any pattern of improper conduct, whether there have been 
previous violations, and the effect of the conduct upon the judicial system or others. 
[11] The Code is not designed or intended as a basis for civil or criminal liability. Nor is it intended 
to be the basis for litigants to seek collateral remedies against each other or to obtain tactical 
advantages in proceedings before a court. 

TERMINOLOGY 

The first time any term listed below is used in a Rule in its defined sense, it is followed by an 
asterisk (*). 
“Contributions” means both financial and in-kind contributions, such as goods, professional or 
volunteer services, advertising, and other types of assistance, which, if obtained by the recipient 
otherwise, would require a financial expenditure. See Rules 3.7, 4.1, and 4.4.  
“De minimis,” in the context of interests pertaining to disqualification of a judge, means an 
insignificant interest that could not raise a reasonable question regarding the judge’s impartiality. 
See Rule 2.11. 
“Domestic partner” means a person with whom another person maintains a household and an 
intimate relationship, other than a person’s legal spouse. See Rule 2.11. 
“Economic interest” means ownership of more than a de minimis legal or equitable interest. 
Except for situations in which the judge participates in the management of such a legal or equitable 
interest or the interest could be substantially affected by the outcome of a proceeding before a 
judge, it does not include (1) an interest in the individual holdings within a mutual or common 
investment fund; (2) an interest in securities held by an educational, religious, charitable, fraternal, 
or civic organization in which the judge or the judge’s spouse, domestic partner, parent, or child 
serves as a director, an officer, an advisor, or other participant; (3) a deposit in a financial 
institution or deposits or proprietary interests the judge may maintain as a member of a mutual 
savings association or credit union or similar proprietary interests; or (4) an interest in the issuer 
of government securities held by the judge. See Rules 1.3 and 2.11. 
“Fiduciary” includes relationships such as executor, administrator, trustee, or guardian. See Rules 
2.11, 3.2, and 3.8. 
“Impartial,” “impartiality,” and “impartially” mean absence of bias or prejudice in favor of, 
or against, particular parties or classes of parties, as well as maintenance of an open mind in 
considering issues that may come before a judge. See Canons 1, 2, and 4 and Rules 1.2, 2.2, 2.10, 
2.11, 2.13, 3.1, 3.12, 4.1 and 4.3. 
“Impending matter” is a matter that is imminent or expected to occur in the near future. See 
Rules 2.9, 2.10, and 4.1. 
“Impropriety” includes conduct that violates the law, court rules, or provisions of this Code and 
conduct that undermines a judge’s independence, integrity, or impartiality. See Canon 1 and Rule 
1.2. 
“Independence” means a judge’s freedom from influence or controls other than those established 
by law. See Canons 1 and 4 and Rules 1.2, 3.1, 3.12, 4.1 and 4.3. 
“Integrity” means probity, fairness, honesty, uprightness, and soundness of character. See Canons 
1 and 4 and Rules 1.2, 3.1, 3.12, 4.1, and 4.3. 
“Judicial candidate” means any person, including a sitting judge, who is seeking selection for or 
retention in judicial office by election or appointment. A person becomes a candidate for judicial 
office as soon as such person makes a public announcement of candidacy; declares or files as a -3- 
candidate with the election or appointment authority; authorizes or, where permitted, engages in 
solicitation or acceptance of contributions or support; or is nominated for election or appointment 
to office. See Rules 4.1, 4.3, and 4.4. 
“Knowingly,” “knowledge,” “known,” and “knows” mean actual knowledge of the fact in 
question. A person’s knowledge may be inferred from the circumstances. See Rules 2.11, 2.13, 
2.15, 2.16, 3.6, and 4.1. 
“Law” encompasses court rules as well as statutes, constitutional provisions, and decisional law. 
See Rules 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.6, 2.7, 2.9, 3.1, 3.9, 3.12, 3.14, 4.1, 4.3, 4.4, and 4.5.  
“Member of the judicial candidate’s family” means a spouse, domestic partner, child, 
grandchild, parent, grandparent, or other relative or person with whom the judicial candidate 
maintains a close familial relationship. See Rule 4.1. 
“Member of the judge’s family” means a spouse, domestic partner, child, grandchild, parent, 
grandparent, or other relative or person with whom the judge maintains a close familial 
relationship. See Rules 3.7, 3.8, and 3.11. 
“Member of a judge’s family residing in the judge’s household” means any relative of a judge 
by blood or marriage, or a person treated by a judge as a member of the judge’s family, who resides 
in the judge’s household. See Rule 2.11. 
“Must” when used in a Rule imposes a mandatory duty on a judge to comply with the Rule. When 
used in a Comment, the term does not mean that the Comment itself is binding or enforceable; it 
signifies that the Rule in question, properly understood, is obligatory as to the conduct at issue. 
See Rule 3.8. 
“Nonpublic information” means information that is not available to the public. Nonpublic 
information may include, but is not limited to, information that is sealed by statute or court order 
or impounded or communicated in camera and information offered in grand jury proceedings, 
presentencing reports, dependency cases, or psychiatric reports. See Rule 3.5. 
“Pending matter” is a matter that has commenced. A matter continues to be pending through any 
appellate process until final disposition. See Rules 2.9, 2.10, and 4.1. 
“Personally solicit” means a direct request made by a judge or a judicial candidate for financial 
support or in-kind services, whether made by letter, telephone, or any other means of 
communication. See Rule 4.1. 
“Political organization” means a political party or other group sponsored by or affiliated with a 
political party or candidate, the principal purpose of which is to further the election or appointment 
of candidates for political office. For purposes of this Code, the term does not include a judicial 
candidate’s campaign committee created as authorized by Rule 4.4. See Rules 4.1 and 4.3. 
“Public election” includes primary and general elections, partisan elections, nonpartisan 
elections, and retention elections. See Rules 4.1 and 4.3. 
“Require,” when used in the context of the Rules prescribing that a judge “require” certain 
conduct of others, means that a judge is to exercise reasonable direction and control over the 
conduct of those persons subject to the judge’s direction and control. See Rules 2.8, 2.10, and 2.12. -4- 
“Shall” imposes a mandatory duty on a judge to comply with the Rule. When used in a Comment, 
the term does not mean that the Comment itself is binding or enforceable; it signifies that the Rule 
in question, properly understood, is obligatory as to the conduct at issue. (Because the term “shall” 
appears passim, its first use in a Rule is not marked with an asterisk (*).) 
“Third degree of relationship” includes the following persons: great-grandparent, grandparent, 
parent, uncle, aunt, brother, sister, child, grandchild, great-grandchild, nephew, and niece. See 
Rule 2.11. 

CANON 1

 A JUDGE SHALL UPHOLD AND PROMOTE THE INDEPENDENCE, INTEGRITY, AND IMPARTIALITY OF THE JUDICIARY AND SHALL AVOID IMPROPRIETY AND THE APPEARANCE OF IMPROPRIETY IN ALL OF THE JUDGE'S ACTIVITIES.

RULE 1.1: COMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW 

A judge shall comply with the law,* including the Code. 

RULE 1.2: PROMOTING CONFIDENCE IN THE JUDICIARY 

A judge shall act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the independence,* 
integrity,* and impartiality* of the judiciary and shall avoid impropriety* and the appearance 
of impropriety. 

RULE 1.3: AVOIDING MISUSE OF THE PRESTIGE OF JUDICIAL OFFICE 

A judge shall not misuse the prestige of judicial office to advance the personal or economic 
interests* of the judge or others or allow others to do so. 

CANON 2

A JUDGE SHALL PERFORM THE DUTIES OF JUDICIAL OFFICE 
IMPARTIALLY, COMPETENTLY, AND DILIGENTLY. 

RULE 2.1: GIVING PRECEDENCE TO THE DUTIES OF JUDICIAL OFFICE 

The duties of judicial office, as prescribed by law,* shall take precedence over all of a judge’s 
personal and extrajudicial activities. 

RULE 2.2: IMPARTIALITY AND FAIRNESS 

A judge shall uphold and apply the law* and shall perform all duties of judicial office fairly 
and impartially. 

RULE 2.3: BIAS, PREJUDICE, AND HARASSMENT 

(A) A judge shall perform the duties of judicial office, including administrative duties, 
without bias or prejudice.  
(B) A judge shall not, in the performance of judicial duties, by words or conduct manifest 
bias or prejudice or engage in harassment, including but not limited to bias, prejudice, 
or harassment based upon race, sex, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, 
ethnicity, pregnancy, disability, age, sexual orientation, marital status, socioeconomic 
status, or political affiliation, and shall not permit court staff, court officials, or others 
subject to the judge’s direction and control to do so. 
(C) Proceedings before the court shall be conducted without manifesting bias or prejudice 
or engaging in harassment, based upon attributes including but not limited to race, sex, 
gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, ethnicity, pregnancy, disability, age, 
sexual orientation, marital status, socioeconomic status, or political affiliation, by or 
against lawyers, parties, witnesses, or others. 
(D) The restrictions of paragraphs (B) and (C) do not preclude judges or lawyers from 
making legitimate reference to the listed factors, or similar factors, when they are 
relevant to an issue in a proceeding. 
(E) A judge shall not retaliate against those who report violations of Rule 2.3.                                                                                               (F) A violation of the Supreme Court of Illinois Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy is a violation of this Rule.

RULE 2.4: EXTERNAL INFLUENCES ON JUDICIAL CONDUCT 

(A) A judge shall not be swayed by public clamor or fear of criticism.  
(B) A judge shall not permit family, social, political, financial, or other interests or 
relationships to influence the judge’s judicial conduct or judgment. 
(C) A judge shall not convey or permit others to convey the impression that any person or 
organization is in a position to influence the judge. 

RULE 2.5: COMPETENCE, DILIGENCE, AND COOPERATION 

(A) A judge shall perform judicial and administrative duties competently and diligently.  
(B) A judge shall cooperate with other judges and court officials in the administration of 
court business. 

RULE 2.6: ENSURING THE RIGHT TO BE HEARD 

(A) A judge shall accord to every person who has a legal interest in a proceeding or that 
person’s lawyer the right to be heard according to law.* 
(B) A judge may encourage parties to a proceeding and their lawyers to settle matters in 
dispute, but a judge shall not act in a manner that coerces any party. 

RULE 2.7: RESPONSIBILITY TO DECIDE 

A judge shall hear and decide matters assigned to the judge, except when disqualification is 
required by Rule 2.11 or other law.*  

RULE 2.8: DECORUM, DEMEANOR, AND COMMUNICATION WITH JURORS 

(A) A judge shall require order and decorum in proceedings before the court.  
(B) A judge shall be patient, dignified, and courteous to litigants, jurors, witnesses, lawyers, 
court staff, court officials, and others with whom the judge deals in an official capacity 
and shall require similar conduct of lawyers, court staff, court officials, and others 
subject to the judge’s direction and control. 
(C) A judge shall not commend or criticize jurors for their verdict other than in a court order 
or opinion in a proceeding. 

RULE 2.9: EX PARTE COMMUNICATIONS 

(A) A judge shall not initiate, permit, or consider ex parte communications or consider other 
communications made to the judge outside the presence of the parties or their lawyers 
concerning a pending* or impending matter,* except as follows: 
(1) When circumstances require it, ex parte communication for scheduling, 
administrative, or emergency purposes, which does not address substantive 
matters, is permitted, provided: 
     (a)the judge reasonably believes that no party will gain a procedural, 
substantive, or tactical advantage as a result of the ex parte 
communication; and 
     (b)the judge makes provision promptly to notify all other parties of the 
substance of the ex parte communication and gives the parties an 
opportunity to respond. 
(2) [Reserved] 
(3) A judge may consult with court staff and court officials whose functions are to 
aid the judge in carrying out the judge’s adjudicative responsibilities, or with 
other judges, provided the judge makes reasonable efforts to avoid receiving 
factual information that is not part of the record and does not abrogate the 
responsibility personally to decide the matter.  
(4) A judge may, with the consent of the parties, confer separately with the parties 
and their lawyers in an effort to mediate or settle matters pending before the 
judge. 
(5) A judge may initiate, permit, or consider any ex parte communication when 
expressly authorized by law* to do so. 
(B) If a judge inadvertently received an unauthorized ex parte communication bearing upon 
the substance of a matter, the judge shall make provision promptly to notify the parties 
of the substance of the communication and provide the parties with an opportunity to 
respond.  
(C) A judge shall not investigate facts in a matter independently and shall consider only the 
evidence presented and any facts that may properly be judicially noticed. 
(D) A judge shall make reasonable efforts, including providing appropriate supervision, to 
ensure that this Rule is not violated by court staff, court officials, and others subject to 
the judge’s direction and control.  

RULE 2.10: JUDICIAL STATEMENTS ON PENDING AND IMPENDING CASES 

(A) A judge shall not make any public statement about a matter pending* or impending* in 
any court. 
(B) A judge shall not, in connection with cases, controversies, or issues that are likely to 
come before the court, make pledges, promises, or commitments that are inconsistent 
with the impartial* performance of the adjudicative duties of judicial office. 
(C) A judge shall require court staff, court officials, and others subject to the judge’s 
direction and control to refrain from making statements that the judge would be 
prohibited from making by paragraphs (A) and (B). -13- 
(D) Notwithstanding the restrictions in paragraph (A), a judge may make public statements 
in the course of performing official duties or giving scholarly presentations for purposes 
of legal education, may explain court procedures, and may comment on any proceeding 
in which the judge is a litigant in a personal capacity. 
(E) Subject to the requirements of paragraph (A), a judge may respond directly or through 
a third party to allegations in the media or elsewhere concerning the judge’s conduct in 
a matter. 

RULE 2.11: DISQUALIFICATION 

(A) A judge shall be disqualified in any proceeding in which the judge’s impartiality* might 
reasonably be questioned, including, but not limited to, the following circumstances: 
(1) The judge has a personal bias or prejudice concerning a party or a party’s lawyer 
or personal knowledge* of facts that are in dispute in the proceeding. 
(2) The judge knows* that the judge, the judge’s spouse or domestic partner,* a 
person within the third degree of relationship* to either of them, or the spouse 
or domestic partner of such a person is: 
(a) a party to the proceeding or an officer, director, general partner, 
managing member, or trustee of a party; 
(b) acting as a lawyer in the proceeding; 
(c) a person who has more than a de minimis* interest that could be 
substantially affected by the proceeding; or -14- 
(d) likely to be a material witness in the proceeding. 
(3) The judge knowingly, individually, or as a fiduciary* or the judge’s spouse, 
domestic partner, parent, or child, wherever residing, or any other member of 
the judge’s family residing in the judge’s household* has an economic interest* 
in the subject matter in controversy or is a party to the proceeding.  
(4) The judge, while a judge or a judicial candidate,* has made a public statement, 
other than in a court proceeding, judicial decision, or opinion that commits or 
appears to commit the judge to reach a particular result or rule in a particular 
way in the proceeding or controversy. 
(5) The judge: 
(a) served as a lawyer in the matter; 
(b) represented any party to the matter while engaged in the private practice 
of law within a period of seven years following the last date on which the 
judge represented the party; 
(c) within the preceding three years was associated in the private practice of 
law with any law firm or lawyer currently representing any party in the 
matter (provided that referral of cases when no monetary interest was 
retained shall not be deemed an association within the meaning of this 
paragraph); 
(d)served in governmental employment and in such capacity participated 
personally and substantially as a lawyer or public official concerning the 
matter or has publicly expressed in such capacity an opinion concerning 
the merits of the particular matter; 
(e) was a material witness concerning the matter; or 
(f) previously presided as a judge over the matter in another court. 
(B) A judge shall keep informed about the judge’s personal and fiduciary economic 
interests and make a reasonable effort to keep informed about the personal economic 
interests of the judge’s spouse or domestic partner and minor children residing in the 
judge’s household. 
(C) A judge subject to disqualification under this Rule, other than for bias or prejudice under 
paragraph (A)(1), may disclose on the record the basis of the judge’s disqualification 
and may ask the parties and their lawyers to consider, outside the presence of the judge 
and court personnel, whether to waive disqualification. If, following the disclosure, the 
parties and lawyers agree, without participation by the judge or court personnel, that 
the judge should not be disqualified, the judge may participate in the proceeding. The 
agreement shall be incorporated into the record of the proceeding. 

RULE 2.12: SUPERVISORY DUTIES 

(A) A judge shall require court staff, court officials, and others subject to the judge’s 
direction and control to act in a manner consistent with the judge’s obligations under 
this Code.  
(B) A judge with supervisory authority for the performance of other judges shall take 
reasonable measures to ensure that those judges properly discharge their judicial 
responsibilities, including the prompt disposition of matters before them. 

RULE 2.13: ADMINISTRATIVE APPOINTMENTS AND HIRING 

(A) In making or facilitating administrative appointments and hiring court employees, a 
judge: 
(1) shall exercise the power of appointment or election impartially* and on the basis 
of merit; and 
(2) shall avoid nepotism, favoritism, and unnecessary appointments. 
(B) A judge shall refrain from casting a vote for the appointment or reappointment to the 
office of associate judge of the judge’s spouse, domestic partner, or of any person 
known by the judge to be within the third degree of relationship to the judge, the judge’s 
spouse, or domestic partner (or the spouse or domestic partner of such a person). 
(C) A judge shall not approve compensation of appointees beyond the fair value of services 
rendered.

RULE 2.14: DISABILITY AND IMPAIRMENT 

A judge having knowledge* that the performance of a lawyer or another judge is impaired by 
drugs or alcohol or by a mental, emotional, or physical condition shall take appropriate action, 
which may include a confidential referral to a lawyer or judicial assistance program. 

RULE 2.15: RESPONDING TO JUDICIAL AND LAWYER MISCONDUCT 

(A) A judge knowing* that another judge has committed a violation of this Code that raises 
a substantial question regarding the judge’s honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a 
judge in other respects shall inform the Illinois Judicial Inquiry Board. 
(B) A judge knowing that a lawyer has committed a violation of the Illinois Rules of 
Professional Conduct of 2010 that raises a substantial question regarding the lawyer’s 
honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness as a lawyer in other respects shall inform the Illinois 
Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC).  
(C) A judge knowing that another judge has committed a violation of this Code that does 
not raise a substantial question regarding honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness of a judge 
shall take appropriate action. -18- 
(D) A judge knowing that a lawyer has committed a violation of the Illinois Rules of 
Professional Conduct of 2010 (Ill. S. Ct. Rs., art. VIII) that does not raise a substantial 
question regarding honesty, trustworthiness, or fitness of a lawyer shall take appropriate 
action. 
(E) The following provisions apply to judicial mentoring:  
(1) Acts of a judge in mentoring a new judge pursuant to M.R. 14618 
(Administrative Order of February 6, 1998, as amended June 5, 2000) and in the 
discharge of disciplinary responsibilities required or permitted by Canon 3 or 
the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct of 2010 are part of a judge’s judicial 
duties and shall be absolutely privileged.  
(2) Except as otherwise required by the Illinois Supreme Court Rules, information 
pertaining to the new judge’s performance that is obtained by the mentor in the 
course of the formal mentoring relationship shall be held in confidence by the 
mentor.  

RULE 2.16: COOPERATION WITH DISCIPLINARY AUTHORITIES 

(A) A judge shall cooperate and be candid and honest with judicial and lawyer disciplinary 
agencies. 
(B) A judge shall not retaliate, directly or indirectly, against a person known* or suspected 
to have assisted or cooperated with an investigation of a judge or lawyer.

CANON 3

A JUDGE SHALL CONDUCT THE JUDGE'S PERSONAL AND EXTRAJUDICIAL 
ACTIVITIES TO MINIMIZE THE RISK OF CONFLICT WITH THE OBLIGATIONS 
OF JUDICIAL OFFICE. 

RULE 3.1: EXTRAJUDICIAL ACTIVITIES IN GENERAL 

A judge may engage in extrajudicial activities, except as prohibited by law* or this Code. 
However, when engaging in extrajudicial activities, a judge shall not: 
(A) participate in activities that will interfere with the proper performance of the judge’s 
judicial duties; 
(B) participate in activities that will lead to frequent disqualification of the judge; 
(C) participate in activities that would appear to a reasonable person to undermine the 
judge’s independence,* integrity,* or impartiality;* 
(D) engage in conduct that would appear to a reasonable person to be coercive; or 
(E) make use of court premises, staff, stationery, equipment, or other resources, except for 
incidental use.

RULE 3.2: APPEARANCES BEFORE GOVERNMENTAL BODIES AND CONSULTATION 
WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS   

A judge shall not appear voluntarily at a public hearing before, or otherwise consult with, an 
executive or a legislative body or official, except: 
(A) in connection with matters concerning the law, the legal system, or the administration of 
justice; 
(B) in connection with matters about which the judge acquired knowledge or expertise in the 
course of the judge’s judicial duties; or 
(C) when the judge is acting pro se in a manner involving the judge’s personal, legal, or 
economic interests or when the judge is acting in a fiduciary capacity. 

RULE 3.3: TESTIFYING AS A CHARACTER WITNESS 

A judge shall not testify as a character witness in a judicial, administrative, or other adjudicatory 
proceeding or otherwise vouch for the character of a person in a legal proceeding, except when 
duly summoned.  

RULE 3.4: APPOINTMENTS TO GOVERNMENTAL POSITIONS 

In addition to the restrictions in article VI, section 13, of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, a 
judge shall not accept appointment to a governmental committee, board, commission, or other 
governmental position, unless the appointment concerns the law, the legal system, or the 
administration of justice.  

RULE 3.5: USE OF NONPUBLIC INFORMATION 

A judge shall not intentionally disclose or use nonpublic information* acquired in a judicial 
capacity for any purpose unrelated to the judge's judicial duties. 

RULE 3.6: AFFILIATION WITH DISCRIMINATORY ORGANIZATIONS 

(A) A judge shall not hold membership in any organization that practices invidious 
discrimination on the basis of race, sex, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, 
ethnicity, or sexual orientation.  
(B) A judge shall not use the benefits or facilities of an organization if the judge knows* or 
should know that the organization practices invidious discrimination on one or more of 
the bases identified in paragraph (A). A judge’s attendance at an event in a facility of an 
organization that the judge is not permitted to join is not a violation of this Rule when the 
judge’s attendance is an isolated event that could not reasonably be perceived as an 
endorsement of the organization’s practices.  

RULE 3.7: PARTICIPATION IN EDUCATIONAL, RELIGIOUS, CHARITABLE, 
FRATERNAL, OR CIVIC ORGANIZATIONS AND ACTIVITIES 

(A) Subject to the requirements of Rule 3.1, a judge may participate in activities (i) sponsored 
by organizations or governmental entities concerned with the law, the legal system, or the 
administration of justice and (ii) sponsored by or on behalf of educational, religious, 
charitable, fraternal, or civic organizations not conducted for profit, including, but not 
limited to, the following activities: 
(1) assisting such an organization or entity in planning related to fundraising and 
participating in the management and investment of the organization’s or entity’s 
funds; 
(2) soliciting* contributions* for such an organization or entity, but only from 
members of the judge’s family* or from judges over whom the judge does not 
exercise supervisory authority; 
(3) soliciting membership for such an organization or entity, even though the 
membership dues or fees generated may be used to support the objectives of the 
organization or entity, but only if the organization or entity is concerned with the 
law, the legal system, or the administration of justice; 
(4) appearing, speaking, receiving an award or other recognition, and permitting the 
judge’s title to be used in connection with a fundraising or other event of such an 
organization or entity; 
(5) making recommendations to such a public or private fund-granting organization 
or entity in connection with its programs and activities; and 
(6) serving as an officer, director, trustee, or nonlegal advisor of such an organization 
or entity, unless it is likely that the organization or entity: 
(a) will be engaged in proceedings that would ordinarily come before the judge; 
or 
(b) will frequently be engaged in adversarial proceedings in the court of which 
the judge is a member or in any court subject to the appellate jurisdiction of 
the court of which the judge is a member.  
(B) A judge may encourage and solicit lawyers to provide pro bono public legal services. 

RULE 3.8: APPOINTMENTS TO FIDUCIARY POSITIONS 

(A) A judge shall not accept appointment to serve in a fiduciary* position, such as executor, 
administrator, trustee, guardian, attorney in fact, or other personal representative, 
except for the estate, trust, or person of a member of the judge’s family and then only 
if the service will not interfere with the proper performance of judicial duties.  
(B) [Reserved] 
(C) A judge acting in a fiduciary capacity shall be subject to the same restrictions on 
engaging in financial activities that apply to a judge personally.  
(D) If a person who is serving in a fiduciary position becomes a judge, the new judge must* 
comply with this Rule as soon as reasonably practicable, but in no event later than one 
year after becoming a judge. 

RULE 3.9: SERVICE AS ARBITRATOR OR MEDIATOR 

A judge shall not act as an arbitrator or a mediator or perform other judicial functions apart 
from the judge's official duties unless expressly authorized by law.* 

RULE 3.10: PRACTICE OF LAW 

A judge shall not practice law. A judge may act pro se in all legal matters. 

RULE 3.11: FINANCIAL, BUSINESS, OR REMUNERATIVE ACTIVITIES 

(A) A judge may hold and manage investments of the judge and members of the judge’s 
family. 
(B) A judge shall not serve as an officer, director, manager, general partner, advisor, or 
employee of any business entity. A judge, however, may: 
(1) hold an equity interest in a business closely held by the judge or members of 
the judge’s family or household; or 
(2) manage a business entity primarily engaged in investment of the financial 
resources of the judge or members of the judge’s family.  
(C) A judge shall cease engaging in those financial activities otherwise permitted under 
paragraphs (A) and (B) as soon as practicable if they will: 
(1) interfere with the proper performance of judicial duties; 
(2) lead to frequent disqualification of the judge; 
(3) involve the judge in frequent transactions or continuing business relationships 
with lawyers or other persons likely to come before the court on which the 
judge serves; or 
(4)result in violation of other provisions of this Code.  

RULE 3.12: COMPENSATION FOR EXTRAJUDICIAL ACTIVITIES 

A judge may accept reasonable compensation for extrajudicial activities permitted by this Code 
or other law* unless such acceptance would appear to a reasonable person to undermine the 
judge’s independence,* integrity,* or impartiality.* 

RULE 3.13: ACCEPTANCE OF GIFTS, LOANS, BEQUESTS, FAVORS, BENEFITS, OR 
OTHER THINGS OF VALUE 
A judge shall not accept any gifts, loans, bequests, benefits, favors, or other things of value, 
except as follows: 
(1) items with little intrinsic value, such as plaques, certificates, trophies, and greeting 
cards; 
(2) gifts, loans, bequests, benefits, favors, or other things of value from individuals whose 
relationship with the judge would require disqualification under Rule 2.11. 
(3) ordinary social hospitality; 
(4) commercial or financial opportunities and benefits, including special pricing and 
discounts, and loans from lending institutions in their regular course of business, if the 
same opportunities and benefits or loans are made available on the same terms to 
similarly situated persons who are not judges; 
(5) rewards and prizes given to competitors or participants in random drawings, contests, 
or other events that are open to persons who are not judges; 
(6) scholarships, fellowships, and similar benefits or awards, if they are available to 
similarly situated persons who are not judges, based upon the same terms and criteria; 
(7) books, magazines, journals, audiovisual materials, and other resource materials 
supplied by publishers on a complimentary basis for official use;  -28- 
(8) gifts incident to a public testimonial; 
(9) invitations to the judge and the judge’s spouse, domestic partner, or guest to attend 
without charge: 
(a) an event associated with a bar-related function or other activity relating to the 
law, the legal system, or the administration of justice; or 
(b) an event associated with any of the judge’s educational, religious, charitable, 
fraternal, or civic activities permitted by this Code, if the same invitation is 
offered to nonjudges who are engaged in similar ways in the activity as is the 
judge; and 
(10) gifts, loans, bequests, benefits, favors, or other things of value, only if the donor is not 
a party or other person whose interests have come or are likely to come before the judge, 
including lawyers who practice or have practiced before the judge. 

RULE 3.14: REIMBURSEMENT OF EXPENSES AND WAIVERS OF FEES OR CHARGES 

(A) Unless otherwise prohibited by Rule 3.1 or other law,* a judge may accept 
reimbursement of necessary and reasonable expenses for travel, food, lodging, or other 
incidental expenses or a waiver or partial waiver of fees or charges for registration, 
tuition, and similar items from sources other than the judge's employing entity, if 
the expenses or charges are associated with the judge's participation in extrajudicial 
activities permitted by this Code. 
(B) Reimbursement of expenses for necessary travel, food, lodging, or other incidental 
expenses shall be limited to the actual costs reasonably incurred by the judge and, when 
appropriate to the occasion, by the judge's spouse, domestic partner,* or guest. 
(C) Reserved] 

RULE 3.15: REPORTING REQUIREMENTS 

A judge shall file annually with the Clerk of the Illinois Supreme Court a verified written 
statement of economic interests. The contents of, and filing deadline for, the statement shall be 
as specified by administrative order of this court.  

CANON 4 

A JUDGE OR JUDICIAL CANDIDATE SHALL NOT ENGAGE IN 
POLITICAL OR CAMPAIGN ACTIVITY THAT IS INCONSISTENT WITH 
THE INDEPENDENCE, INTEGRITY, OR IMPARTIALITY OF THE 
JUDICIARY. 

RULE 4.1: POLITICAL AND CAMPAIGN ACTIVITIES IN PUBLIC ELECTIONS 

(A) Except as authorized in paragraphs (D)(2) and (F), a judge or judicial candidate 
shall not: 
(1) act as a leader or hold an office in a political organization;* 
(2) publicly endorse or publicly oppose another candidate for public office; 
(3) make speeches on behalf of a political organization; or 
(4) solicit funds for, or pay an assessment to, a political organization or 
candidate. 
(B) A judge shall resign from judicial office upon becoming a candidate for a 
nonjudicial elected office. 
(C) A judicial candidate: 
(1) shall maintain the dignity appropriate to judicial office and act in a manner 
consistent with the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the 
judiciary; 
(2) shall prohibit employees and officials who serve at the pleasure of the 
candidate, and shall discourage other employees and officials subject to the 
candidate’s direction and control, from doing on the candidate’s behalf 
what the candidate is prohibited from doing under the provisions of this 
Rule; 
(3) except to the extent permitted by Paragraph (E), shall not authorize, 
encourage, or knowingly permit members of the judicial candidate’s 
family* or other persons to do for the candidate what the candidate is 
prohibited from doing under the provisions of this Rule; 
(4) shall not: 
(a) make pledges, promises, or commitments that are inconsistent with 
the impartial performance of the adjudicative duties of judicial 
office with respect to cases, controversies, or issues that are likely 
to come before the court; or 
(b) knowingly misrepresent the identity, qualifications, present 
position, or other fact concerning the candidate or an opponent.  -42- 
(D) A judge or judicial candidate may, except as prohibited by law: 
(1) at any time: 
(a) purchase tickets for and attend political gatherings; 
(b) identify as a member of a political party; and 
(c) contribute to a political organization. 
(2) when a candidate for public election:* 
(a) speak to gatherings supporting candidacy; 
(b) appear in advertisements and other electronic media supporting the 
candidacy; 
(c) distribute campaign materials supporting the candidacy; 
(d) publicly endorse or publicly oppose any judicial candidates in a 
primary or general election in which the judge or judicial candidate 
is running and use or allow the use of campaign materials authorized 
by Paragraph F; 
(d) respond to personal attacks or attacks on the candidate’s record as 
long as the response does not violate Paragraph (C)(4) and is not 
reasonably expected to impair the fairness of a matter pending or 
impending in any court. See Rule 2.10(D). 
(E) A judicial candidate shall not: 
(1) personally solicit* or accept campaign contributions; or 
(2) use or permit the use of campaign contributions for the private benefit of 
the candidate or others. See Rule 4.4. 
(F) A candidate for judicial office in a public election may permit the candidate’s name 
or image to be included in campaign materials along with other candidates for 
elective public office.  
(G) A judge shall not engage in any political activity, except: 
(1) as authorized under Rule 4.1(D) and Rule 4.4; 
(2) on behalf of measures that concern the law, the legal system, or the 
administration of justice; or 
(3) as expressly authorized by law.  -43- 
(H) Rule 4.1 applies to all judges and judicial candidates. Judges and successful judicial 
candidates are subject to judicial discipline for their campaign conduct. Lawyers 
are subject to lawyer discipline for their campaign conduct that violates Rule 4.1 
of the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct of 2010.

RULE 4.3: ACTIVITIES OF CANDIDATES FOR APPOINTIVE JUDICIAL 
OFFICE 

A candidate for appointment to judicial office shall: 
(A) maintain the dignity appropriate to judicial office and act in a manner consistent 
with the independence,* integrity,* and impartiality of the judiciary; 
(B) prohibit employees and officials who serve at the pleasure of the candidate, and 
discourage other employees and officials subject to the candidate’s direction and 
control, from doing on the candidate’s behalf what the candidate is prohibited from 
doing under the provisions of this Rule; 
(C) A candidate shall not: 
(1) make pledges, promises, or commitments that are inconsistent with the 
impartial performance of the adjudicative duties of judicial office with 
respect to cases, controversies, or issues that are likely to come before the 
court; or 
(2) knowingly* or with reckless disregard for the truth, make any false or 
misleading statement in connection with: 
(a) an application for appointment; or 
(b) the identity, qualifications, present position, or other fact 
concerning the candidate; or 
(c) except to the extent permitted by Rule 4.1(E), authorize, encourage, 
or knowingly permit members of the judicial candidate’s family or 
other persons to do for the candidate what the candidate is 
prohibited from doing under the provisions of this Rule. 
(D) A candidate for appointment to judicial office may, except as prohibited by law:* 
(1) at any time:  
(a) purchase tickets for and attend political gatherings; 
(b) personally identify as a member of a political party; and 
(c) contribute to a political organization.