Lefton Iron & Metal Co. v. Illinois Commerce Commission

This is an appeal from a judgment of the circuit court affirming an order of the Illinois Commerce Commission the effect of which was to approve a railroad rate increase.

Before the issues may be identified, it is necessary to set out the applicable law. Before October 1, 1980, the Illinois Commerce Commission (Commission) had full jurisdiction to require that Illinois intrastate rail rates be maintained at reasonable levels. On that date, the Staggers Rail Act of 1980 went into effect (49 U.S.C. §11501 et seq. (1982)) and preempted State jurisdiction to regulate intrastate railroad rates…