February 27 in Local History

2026

• The Supreme Court Defends the Vote: In the landmark case Leser v. Garnett, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously dismissed a challenge to the 19th Amendment, officially solidifying women's right to vote across the entire country. This wasn't just a D.C. story. At the time, Illinois—and specifically the DuPage region—was a hotbed for the suffrage movement. Local leaders were instrumental in the "Illinois Grace Period," where Illinois became one of the first states to ratify the amendment. This 1922 ruling was the final "nail in the coffin" for those trying to roll back that progress. It’s a reminder of how quickly "settled" progress can be challenged and the role the courts play in cementing local rights. For your readers, many of whom are active in local school boards and village councils, it’s a nod to the infrastructure of our democracy.

  From the 2026-02-27 edition