Illinois State Bar Association Assembly Approves Judicial Recusal Rule, Supports Same-sex Marriage, Medical Marijuana Bills

CHICAGO, Dec. 15, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Illinois State Bar Association's (ISBA) 203-member policy-making Assembly, today adopted a proposal rule governing recusal of judges in cases in which a party has made a campaign contribution to the judge.  

The ISBA will recommend the proposed rule to the Illinois Supreme Court as an amendment to the Illinois Code of Judicial Conduct. The proposed rule provides that a judge shall disqualify himself or herself when, after considering all relevant circumstances, there exists a probability of bias. Relevant circumstances include items such as the amount of campaign support, both monetary and non-monetary, and the timing and impact of the support. 

The Assembly also voted to support the Religious Freedom and Marriage Fairness Act pending in the Illinois state Legislature. The bill provides same-sex and different-sex couples and their children equal access to the status, benefits, protections, rights, and responsibilities of civil marriage. 

The Assembly also endorsed Illinois legislation that would allow patients who suffer from a debilitating medical condition to use and possess small amounts of marijuana if certified to do so by their regular physician.  

The 32,000-member ISBA, with offices in Springfield and Chicago, provides services to its members, and information and education to the public. 

SOURCE Illinois State Bar Association