Judicial Rulings

Paddling is approved
ALTHOUGH the U.S. Supreme Court ruled April 19 in Ingraham v. Wright that corporal punishment of school children does not violate the 8th Amendment, Illinois Supt. of Education Joseph M. Cronin is concerned the decision could be misinterpreted.

"Illinois regulations continue to provide for local decisions on corporal punishment," Cronin said, "and Chicago and several other school districts have banned all physical punishments for children. Parents may notify schools that they do not want their children paddled since opinions differ so widely on the consequences. School people should continue to pay attention to previous court decisions which call for explaining the reasons for punishment, providing for a witness, and using restraint and good sense."

Cocaine is a drug
CIRCUIT Judge George P. Coutrakon reversed his March 17 ruling and held April 28 that cocaine is a narcotic and is subject to penalty provisions of the statutes. Judge Coutrakon of the 7th Judicial Circuit said the ruling by the Third Appellate Court in People v. Villaneuva two weeks after his initial ruling took precedence. The circuit case involved in the cocaine ruling is People v. Julian P. Gabriel.

28 / July 1977 / Illinois Issues