The Illinois Central Railroad Company v. State Public Utilities Commission of Illinois et al., 1917, was a case that revolved around the issue of whether or not the state could regulate railroad rates for intrastate commerce. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the State Public Utilities Commission, stating that states have the power to control and regulate rates for railroads operating within their borders as long as it does not interfere with interstate commerce regulations set by Congress. This decision upheld an order from the commission requiring reduced passenger fares on trains operated by Illinois Central Railroad Company within Chicago city limits. The court found no conflict between this local regulation and federal law governing interstate commerce, thus affirming states' rights to oversee businesses serving primarily local customers.

The dissenting opinion in the case of Illinois Central Railroad Company v. State Public Utilities Commission of Illinois argued that the majority's decision was a misinterpretation of both state and federal law. The dissenters believed that the Interstate Commerce Act did not grant exclusive jurisdiction to the Interstate Commerce Commission over intrastate rates, but rather concurrent jurisdiction with state commissions. They maintained that states should retain their power to regulate local commerce unless it directly conflicts with federal regulation or impedes interstate commerce. Furthermore, they contended that there was no evidence presented in this case demonstrating such conflict or hindrance. Therefore, they disagreed with the majority's ruling which effectively stripped states' rights to control their own commercial affairs without clear justification from Congress.