SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (CN) - The state House of Representatives approved a plan that would revive the controversial moment of silence in school issue. In January, a federal judge ruled that a law requiring school districts to have a moment of silence was unconstitutional because it crossed the line of separation between church and state. Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich vetoed the bill because of such concerns, but the Legislature overrode him.
The new plan, by state Rep. John Fritchey, D-Chicago, would allow individual school districts to decide if they want a moment of silence rather than being required to do so. It also removes a provision that students may only say a silent prayer or think about the day's upcoming activities during the moment of silence. The bill heads now to the state Senate.
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