Ill. Sup. Ct. R. 4.3

As amended through September 23, 2024

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.

Ill. Sup. Ct. R. 4.3

Adopted July 1, 2022, eff. 1/1/2023.

COMMENTS

[1] When seeking support or endorsement or when communicating directly with an appointing or confirming authority, a candidate for appointive judicial office must not make any pledges, promises, or commitments that are inconsistent with the impartial performance of the adjudicative duties of the office. See Rule 4.1(D)(4)(a).

[2] "Appointment to judicial office" means appointment, assignment, or recall to any judicial office under article VI of the Illinois Constitution of 1970.