Moment of Silence Amendment CHICAGO, IL (wqub) - Some Illinois lawmakers want to amend a controversial law mandating a moment of silence in state schools. This is in response to a federal judge's order for the State Board of Education to stop enforcing the mandatory pause.

Illinois State Representative John Fritchey introduced the amendment in the House Thursday.

He says he was opposed to the moment of silence from the beginning, calling it unnecessary.

"I want to make sure that our schools around the state and the state itself is spending money on education not on litigation. And so I think the cheapest and most effective way and most efficient way to address this situation is thru the legislative process rather than having school districts tied up as a party in a lawsuit."

Fritchey says his amendment calls for removal of all mention of prayer from the current law and makes the moment of silence optional.

He says he's confident the amended bill will gain enough support to pass.
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