Illinois Ex Rel. McCollum v. Board of Ed. of School Dist. No. 71, Champaign Cty.

This case relates to the power of a state to utilize its tax-supported public school system in aid of religious *205instruction insofar as that power may be restricted by the First and Fourteenth Amendments to the Federal Constitution.

The appellant, Vashti McCollum, began this action for mandamus against the Champaign Board of Education in the Circuit Court of Champaign County, Illinois. Her asserted interest was that of a resident and taxpayer of Champaign and of a parent whose child was then enrolled in the Champaign public schools. Illinois has a compulsory education law which, with…