The “moment of silence” has returned to Illinois public schools, including those in the Tri-Cities, after a three-year court battle. Though each school must include the brief period of silent prayer or reflection in its morning routine, teachers and administrators can choose how and when to do that.

"The State Board of Education has no intention to limit Illinois school districts’ flexibility to implement in a manner that works best for the district and its students,” wrote state School Superintendent Christopher Koch in a Jan. 10 letter to state school districts.

The Illinois Legislature originally enacted the Silent Reflection and Student Prayer Act in October 2007, after which schools across the state began to comply with it – including those in Batavia District 101, St. Charles District 303 and Geneva District 304. At that time, most students and parents accepted the new requirement with little or no protest.

“No one’s complained about it. No one complained about it the first time, either,” said District 101 Superintendent Jack Barshinger.

U.S. District Judge Rob Gettleman declared the law unconstitutional in response to a lawsuit filed by Buffalo Grove resident Rob Sherman, a prominent atheist whose daughter attended Buffalo Grove High School. Sherman also did some successful campaigning against Christmastime crosses on public buildings in St Charles back in the 1980s and '90s.

Last October, the Illinois Supreme Court overturned Gettleman’s decision, and he rescinded his injunction against the law Dec. 30,Koch’s letter states.

For Tri-Cities students, the moment of silence hasn’t changed much since they first started observing it in 2007.

“We’re following the law as stated, in a similar way to when it was first passed,” said District 304 Superintendent Kent Mutchler. “It’s going to be implemented a little differently in each building.”

In District 101, each school principal decides how long the moment of silence will be in his or her building, Barshinger said. “It’s really not that big a deal,” he said.

And in District 303, the only rule is that the moment of silence must take place before students recite the Pledge of Allegiance, said district Communications Director Jim Blaney.

“We’ve tried to build it in as part of our daily routine,” he said. “The moment lasts just long enough to recognize that it is silent.”

While all three districts’ officials reported that they’ve received no protests about the moment of silence, area residents have posted mixed reactions on local newspaper websites.

One reader posted in the Kane County Chronicle that, “My only exception is leaving something like this up to a school. Then the next thing you know, they will be teaching creationism.” Another Chronicle reader posted, “It’s 15 seconds, for crying out loud! Don’t make a big deal out of it.”

A Daily Herald reader posted, “There is no reason to legislate a moment of silence when each individual has ample opportunity each day for prayer or a moment of silence. Is it not time for schools to spend their time on teaching … instead of on nonsensical activities?”