CHICAGO — A federal judge in Illinois granted a motion filed by attorneys with the Alliance Defense Fund and the Chicago law firm Mauck & Baker seeking to defend a “period of silence” law for students attending public schools. As a result of the judge’s order, ADF attorneys will participate in briefing and oral argument in the case.
“The statute permits all students the freedom to decide how to use their period of silence,” said ADF Senior Counsel David Cortman. “The law provides students a brief period of time to reflect on whatever they choose, whether through prayer, silent reflection, or some other silent method.”
Since 1969, the state of Illinois has had a law that allows for a “period of silence” for students attending public school to engage in a brief time of voluntary silent prayer or reflection. Earlier this year, the law faced a legal attack when an atheist man whose teenage child is enrolled at Buffalo Grove High School sued the school district over its implementation of the law.
The court has also allowed the American Civil Liberties Union to become involved in the case, Sherman v. Township High School District, in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, Eastern Division. The ACLU will argue in favor of the atheist family.
“We are grateful that the court has agreed to allow us to participate in this case so we can defend the law and counter the ACLU’s efforts to stifle the rights of students,” said ADF Legal Counsel Jeremy Tedesco. “This is an important case involving First Amendment rights for students and the proper interpretation of the Establishment Clause, and both sides must be heard.”
The ACLU vs. America.
ADF is a legal alliance of Christian attorneys and like-minded organizations defending the right of people to freely live out their faith. Launched in 1994, ADF employs a unique combination of strategy, training, funding, and litigation to protect and preserve religious liberty, the sanctity of life, marriage, and the family.
ADF President Alan Sears is co-author with Craig Osten of the book
