Bill Text: IL SB1658 | 2009-2010 | 96th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Amends the Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act. Changes the short title of the Act to the Student Silent Reflection Act. Adds General Assembly findings. Provides that the period of silence that a teacher is required to observe must not exceed one minute. Provides that this period shall be an opportunity for silent reflection or meditation (instead of an opportunity for silent prayer or for silent reflection on the anticipated activities of the day). Allows students to reflect or meditate on any topic of their choosing. Provides that, during the period of silence, students shall remain seated and must not engage in any activity that distracts or interferes with other students. Removes a caption to a Section concerning the right of a student to the free exercise of religion. Effective immediately.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2009-03-13 - Rule 3-9(a) / Re-referred to Assignments [SB1658 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2009-SB1658-Introduced.html

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96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY State of Illinois 2009 and 2010 SB1658 Introduced 2/19/2009, by Sen. Kimberly A. Lightford SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
105 ILCS 20/0.01 from Ch. 122, par. 770
105 ILCS 20/0.05 new
105 ILCS 20/1 from Ch. 122, par. 771
105 ILCS 20/5
Amends the Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act. Changes the short title of the Act to the Student Silent Reflection Act. Adds General Assembly findings. Provides that the period of silence that a teacher is required to observe must not exceed one minute. Provides that this period shall be an opportunity for silent reflection or meditation (instead of an opportunity for silent prayer or for silent reflection on the anticipated activities of the day). Allows students to reflect or meditate on any topic of their choosing. Provides that, during the period of silence, students shall remain seated and must not engage in any activity that distracts or interferes with other students. Removes a caption to a Section concerning the right of a student to the free exercise of religion. Effective immediately.
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A BILL FOR
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AN ACT concerning education.
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
represented in the General Assembly:
Section 5. The Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act is
amended by changing Sections 0.01, 1, and 5 and adding Section
0.05 as follows:
(105 ILCS 20/0.01) (from Ch. 122, par. 770)
Sec. 0.01. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
Student Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act.
(Source: P.A. 92-832, eff. 1-1-03.)
(105 ILCS 20/0.05 new)
Sec. 0.05. The General Assembly finds that it is beneficial
to students to have a brief period of silence at the beginning
of the school day to collect themselves as they begin their
day, to contemplate the anticipated activities of the day, and
to reflect or meditate about any topic of their choosing to
provide a brief respite from other activities and sounds. The
General Assembly recognizes that students have a First
Amendment right to pray silently during any part of the school
day; however, this Act is not intended and may not be used to
encourage or discourage students from using the period of
silence for silent prayer or any other reflection or

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meditation.
(105 ILCS 20/1) (from Ch. 122, par. 771)
Sec. 1. In each public school classroom, the teacher in
charge shall observe a brief period of silence, not to exceed
one minute, with the participation of all the pupils therein
assembled at the opening of every school day. This period shall
not be conducted as a religious exercise but shall be an
opportunity for silent prayer or for silent reflection or
meditation on the anticipated activities of the day. Students
may reflect or meditate on any topic of their choosing. During
the period of silence, students shall remain seated and must
not engage in any activity that distracts or interferes with
other students.
(Source: P.A. 95-680, eff. 10-11-07.)
(105 ILCS 20/5)
Sec. 5. Student prayer. In order that the right of every
student to the free exercise of religion is guaranteed within
the public schools and that each student has the freedom to not
be subject to pressure from the State either to engage in or to
refrain from religious observation on public school grounds,
students in the public schools may voluntarily engage in
individually initiated, non-disruptive prayer that, consistent
with the Free Exercise and Establishment Clauses of the United
States and Illinois Constitutions, is not sponsored, promoted,

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or endorsed in any manner by the school or any school employee.
(Source: P.A. 92-832, eff. 1-1-03.)
Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon
becoming law.