Reply #123: Why am I so upset? Because the Illinois Legislature just MANDATED Prayer in our PUBLIC schools.

[in_cog_ni_to]

Not everyone in this state is a Christian. Just in case you didn't know that.


SB1463 Enrolled LRB095 09404 NHT 29600 b



1 AN ACT concerning education.

2 Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3 represented in the General Assembly:

4 Section 5. The Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act is
5 amended by changing Section 1 as follows:

6 (105 ILCS 20/1) (from Ch. 122, par. 771)
7 Sec. 1. In each public school classroom the teacher in
8 charge shall may observe a brief period of silence with the
9 participation of all the pupils therein assembled at the
10 opening of every school day. This period shall not be conducted
11 as a religious exercise but shall be an opportunity for silent
12 prayer or for silent reflection on the anticipated activities
13 of the day.
14 (Source: P.A. 76-21.)

15 Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
16 becoming law.

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/fulltext.asp?DocName=&S...

it was vetoed by the governor (here is his statement) but the illinois house & senate overrode his veto

August 28, 2007

To the Honorable Members of the

Illinois Senate

95th General Assembly

Pursuant to Article IV, Section 9(b) of the Illinois Constitution of 1970, I hereby veto Senate Bill 1463, entitled “AN ACT concerning education.”

Prayer plays an important part in the lives of many people. It certainly does in mine. I believe in prayer. I believe in the power of prayer. I also believe that our founding fathers wisely recognized the personal nature of faith and prayer, and that is why the separation of church and state is a centerpiece of our constitution, our democracy and our freedoms.

The law in Illinois today already allows teachers and students the opportunity to take a moment for silent thought or prayer, if they chose to. 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.

Sincerely,
ROD R. BLAGOJEVICH
Governor


http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/fulltext.asp?DocName=09...

Synopsis As Introduced
Amends the Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act to require (instead of allow) a teacher to observe a brief period of silence at the opening of every school day with the participation of all pupils assembled. Effective immediately.
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=1...