Why was Wabash vs. Illinois important?

The case of Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railway Company v.Illinois was important because it changed and limited the rights of states to control interstate commerce. This case overturned an earlier ruling granting states various right over the prices charged in their given states.

The case was tried in April of 1886, but a decision was not reached until October of that same year. The states being so limited in their ability to regulate the railroads, prices and cargo limitations, eventually led to the creation of the Interstate Commerce Commission. This was government regulated and lasted until 1995, when the division was closed and these responsibilities turned to the Surface Transportation Board.