Senate OKs moment of silence in schools

By Kurt Erickson | Thursday, October 04, 2007

SPRINGFIELD — An effort to require a moment of silence at the start of each school day got a boost in the Illinois Senate.

In action Wednesday, the Senate voted 42-9 to override Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s veto. The measure now moves to the House.

Blagojevich argued that such reflections should remain voluntary.

“The law in Illinois today already allows teachers and students the opportunity to take a moment for silent thought or prayer, if they choose to,” he wrote. “I believe this is the right balance between the principles echoed in our Constitution, and our deeply held desire to practice our faith.

“As a parent, I am working with my wife to raise our children to respect prayer and to pray because they want to pray — not because they are required to. For this reason, I hereby veto and return Senate Bill 1463.”

— Kurt Erickson