Judge Allows Moment of Silence in Illinois High School

11/08/07

<<Rob Sherman, an atheist activist, filed a lawsuit last week to ban moments of silence in an Illinois school district, specifically at Buffalo Grove High School, where his daughter, Dawn, is a student. He and others believe the moment of silence is an attempt to bring "organized" prayer to schools and is thus unconstitutional.

All in the last week in the last month in the last 3 months in the last 6 months in the last year

Search Career Advice

"It is unconstitutional because there is no secular purpose at all," said Sherman's attorney, Gregory Kulis, in a hearing on Monday. "In this case, the statute says the first option is to pray."

However, supporters have said that the moment can be used for any kind of reflection, not just prayer. Specifically, "[it] shall not be conducted as a religious exercise," said Illinois Assistant Attorney General Thomas Ioppolo.

• Search Legal Jobs
• Search Articles
• Employer Listing

United States

Search jobs

All in the last week in the last month in the last 3 months in the last 6 months in the last year

Search Career Advice

Select In-House Law Firms Government Recruiters Public Interest

Search Employer

U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman, who oversaw the case, considered both sides and, while he had "some serious questions" about allowing a moment of silence in public schools, decided against the ban. He did decide, however, to "weigh the merits of the Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act," says the ChicagoTribune.com, and "entertain a wider lawsuit challenging the statute."

Get thousands of Illinois attorney positions available here.