On Friday, December 13, 2024, the Illinois Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission reprimanded William Burnett Raines for unprofessional conduct during his tenure as a judge of the Circuit Court of Cook County.
The reprimand follows an incident on January 11, 2022, where Raines made derogatory remarks about attorneys Jennifer Bonjean and Sam Kennedy in the presence of Assistant State’s Attorneys and Assistant Public Defenders after a court proceeding.
The commission’s panel determined that Raines’ comments constituted a violation of Rule 8.4(d) of the Illinois Rules of Professional Conduct (2010), which pertains to conduct that is prejudicial to the administration of justice. In its findings, the Hearing Board noted that this reprimand is significant, even though it has not been formally presented to the Illinois Supreme Court. The reprimand will be recorded with the Attorney Registration and Disciplinary Commission and may be used in future disciplinary proceedings.
The Board considered several factors in its decision to issue a reprimand rather than more severe disciplinary action. Raines has no prior disciplinary history and has expressed remorse for his actions. He admitted to the facts outlined in the complaint and engaged in sensitivity training as well as counseling through the Lawyer’s Assistance Program. Additionally, he received mentorship from the Hon. Sophia Hall following the incident.
The reprimand serves as a formal admonishment of Raines’ conduct, reflecting the expected level of professionalism required from attorneys. The commission emphasized that while this reprimand is not a formal sanction, it is a matter of public record that will remain on file.
A copy of the original filing can be found here.
