"Rest in Peace" in Illinois

The plans of a Kansas church motivated Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to quickly sign a bill into law that would regulate protests at funerals. Blagojevich on Wednesday signed the Let Them Rest in Peace Act, which prohibits pickets from using visual and oral "fighting words" within 200 feet of a funeral service, 30 minutes before, during and 30 minutes after the service. Members of the Westboro Baptist Church of Topeka, Kansas, have been picketing at soldiers' funerals throughout the country because they believe the military protects a country that tolerates homosexuality, according to Shirley Phelps-Roper, an attorney for the church. The law is effective immediately. "It is pre-emptive," said Rebecca Rausch, a spokeswoman for Blagojevich. "Obviously, the governor always was going to sign it, but it became much more urgent in light of the services that will take place on Friday" in Shumway. Members of the church announced on the church Web site that they plan to attend the funeral of Army Warrant Officer 2nd Class Christopher Donaldson. Here's the story from Rebecca O'Halloran of the Springfield State Journal-Register.