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Ill. moment of silence law takes effect

SPRINGFIELD, Ill., Jan. 15 (UPI) -- Illinois education officials notified local school districts Friday they can start beginning the school day with a "moment of silence."

Because Monday is the federal Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, the change will not take effect until Tuesday, the Chicago Tribune reported.

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U.S. District Judge Robert Gettleman, who issued a temporary injunction on the Illinois Silent Reflection and School Prayer Act two years ago, lifted it Thursday, the state Board of Education said. A federal appeals court found the law constitutional four months ago.

The U.S. Supreme Court banned school prayer in the 1960s. Critics say moment of silence laws are a way to reintroduce religious observance in schools in violation of the First Amendment.

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