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The Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission (ARDC) operates under the authority of the Illinois Supreme Court, which has sole authority to regulate the admission and discipline of lawyers in Illinois. Since 1973, administrative responsibility for the registration and discipline of Illinois lawyers has been delegated by the Illinois Supreme Court to the ARDC. The ARDC is overseen by a seven-member Commission, whose members are appointed by the Court. Four members of the Commission must be members of the Illinois bar, and the other three members are not lawyers (“public members”). The Commissioners serve without compensation for three-year terms. The Commission acts as a board of directors for the disciplinary agency, setting general policy and overseeing its implementation. The Commission has no role in deciding cases before the ARDC.

The present judicial disciplinary system in Illinois was created by Article VI, Section 15 (b) - (j) of the Constitution of the State of Illinois, adopted 1970, as amended, effective November 3, 1998 ("the Constitution"). It consists of two independent entities: The Judicial Inquiry Board and the Courts Commission.

Pursuant to Article VI, Section 15 (c) of the Constitution, the Judicial Inquiry Board is authorized to receive, initiate, and investigate complaints concerning active Illinois state court judges. Additionally, when warranted, it is the responsibility of the Judicial Inquiry Board to file a public complaint against a judge with the Courts Commission. The Constitution mandates that all proceedings of the Judicial Inquiry Board shall be confidential except the filing of a complaint with the Courts Commission.

Call 800-922-8757 Monday – Friday between 9:00 – 3:00: the referral clerk will need only basic information (your name, address, brief description of legal need) and will then refer you to a lawyer in the geographic area requested. (All information provided will be treated as strictly confidential.)