'Silence' law is simply unnecessary

The General Assembly may not be able to figure out how to fund our schools, fix our roads or properly staff our prisons. But when it comes to forcing schoolchildren to shut their little yaps for a minute each morning, your state officials are on the job.

It appears likely that a daily "moment of silence" for public schoolchildren will soon become law in Illinois. Last week, the Senate overrode Gov. Rod Blagojevich's veto of the measure on a 42-9 vote. Given that the House passed the original bill 86-26, an affirmative override looks like a safe bet there as well. This bill was as unneeded as it was deceptive.

Five years ago, a bill amended the state's Silent Reflection Act, changing it to the Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act and guaranteeing students the right to observe voluntary, non-disruptive prayer whenever they chose to during the school day. The bill also allows for a moment of silence to begin the day if a teacher and his or her class choose to.

So, Illinois children can already reflect and pray in school any time they want. And a classroom can choose to observe a silent moment any day it wants.

But that's not enough for those whose real motive is to slyly place forced prayer back into public schools. For them a law is needed that will force teachers to enforce this "silent reflection." Blagojevich's veto message eloquently explained why this bill should not be a law.

Better access needed

Changes in laws, attitude needed to improve public access. Illinoisans need better access to government information and meetings. But the biggest stumbling block will be lobbying from the same people who misinterpret -- if not outright ignore -- existing laws on freedom of information and open meetings. Attorney General Lisa Madigan, who wants to strengthen the Freedom of Information and Open Meetings acts, is right in saying it will require a united front from the taxpayers and press to get needed changes.