Rule 3.4 Appointments to Governmental Positions

[1] Article VI, section 13, of the Illinois Constitution of 1970 prohibits a judge from holding any office under the United States, this State, a unit of local government, or a school board. Rule 3.4 acknowledges this constitutional limitation while implicitly recognizing the value of judges accepting appointments to entities that concern the law, the legal system, or the administration of justice. Even in such instances, however, a judge should assess the appropriateness of accepting an appointment, paying particular attention to the subject matter of the appointment and the availability and allocation of judicial resources, including the judge's time commitments, and giving due regard to the requirements of the independence and impartiality of the judiciary.

[2] A judge may represent a country, state, or locality on ceremonial occasions or in connection with historical, educational, or cultural activities. Such representation does not constitute acceptance of a government position.