Perception is reality: recusal and judicial campaign contributions
An ISBA special committee is exploring the role of campaign contributions in judicial elections and the perception that they influence judicial decision-making -- and considering whether recusal standards should be changed to address that perception. Find out more in the September Illinois Bar Journal.
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Member Comments (3)
It defies all logic that Judges receiving campaign contributions would consider any conduct other than to recuse themselves. A sample poll to non-lawyers takes about 5 minutes for citizens to clearly see the conflict. Judges and the contributors are the only ones who are confused.
For many years I have been advocating for a ban on judges accepting campaign contributions from lawyers who appear before them.There is unquestionably an appearance of impropriety. What is more shocking and disturbing, the contrbutions to each judge can be viewed on line by opposing counsel and the litigants.
this practice is despicable.
there is a lawyer who ran a fund raiser for a judge at her house, had a band, valet parking, catered food, raised 80% of his contributions for that reporting period. she had a case with him two months later. i was the opposing lawyer.
the judge would not recuse himself. the motion for cause was heard by the chief judge who said judges need funds to run, judges can be fair, motion to recuse denied.
this is nonsense. abolish this once and for all.
there are second dist. and ill. sup. ct. opinions that say this conduct is acceptable. not to me, my client, the general public.