Munn v. Illinois

Media Items

Case Basics

Petitioner:

Munn

Respondent:

Illinois

Decided By:

Waite Court (1874-1877)

Opinion:

94 U.S. 113 (1877)

Argued:

Friday, January 14, 1876

Decided:

Thursday, March 1, 1877

Categories:

states, fourteenth amendment, criminal, due process

Location No location information present.

Cite this page

The Oyez Project, Munn v. Illinois , 94 U.S. 113 (1877)
available at: (http://oyez.org/cases/1851-1900/1875/1875_0)

Facts of the Case:

Illinois regulated grain warehouse and elevator rates by establishing maximum rates for their use.

Question:

Did the state-imposed rates deny the warehouse and elevator owners equal protection and due process under the 14th Amendment?

Conclusion:

No on both counts. Waite, for the Court, took a broad view of the state's police power. He argued that the states may regulate the use of private property "when such regulation becomes necessary for the public good." Waite resurrected an ancient legal doctrine to support his view: "When property is affected with a public interest, it ceases to be juris privati only."

Decisions

Decision: 7 votes for Illinois, 2 vote(s) against
Legal provision: Illinois Warehouse Act of 1871; US Constitution, 14th Amendment

Sort by Ideology