Court finds moment of silence law constitutional

A federal appeals court ruled Friday that a state law requiring a moment of silence in public schools is constitutional because it doesn't specify prayer, in a suit sparked by a Buffalo Grove High School student.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit ruled legislators who supported the bill said the moment of reflection had a secular and practical purpose in getting students to settle down at the start of the school day.

The ruling came in a lawsuit designed to bar schools from enforcing the Illinois Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act. It was filed by Rob Sherman, an outspoken atheist, and his daughter, Dawn, a student at Buffalo Grove High School.

Vowing to appeal, Sherman called the decision “ludicrous, and said the appellate court engaged in “judicial activism by legislating from the bench.

“What I'd like to see happen is for the Illinois General Assembly to either repeal the law because it's a bad idea, or amend the law to make it clear that kids are free to engage in any non disruptive, silent activity, Sherman said.

Daily Herald wire services contributed to this report.