Argued: McCollum v. Board of Education — In Illinois, closing arguments are made before a three-judge panel of the Champaign county circuit court. Vashti McCollum, described by newspapers as an "anti-Bible mother," has filed a lawsuit against the practice of having religious leaders come into public schools to teach religion classes every week.

The practice was started by the Champaign Council on Religious Education and it involves Jewish, Protestant, and Catholic clergy. Vashti's son, James Terry McCollum, is forced to sit outside in the hall or go to the library while others receive religious instruction.

Vashti McCollum testified about her religious views:

"I am an atheist so far as believing in my own mind that there is no God. I haven't accepted belief in God myself, but I do not interfere with the belief of anyone who has God in his mind."

The Circuit Court of Champaign County will rule in favor of the school district in January 1946, and the Illinois Supreme Court will affirm this decision.

Vashti McCollum appeals her case up to the U.S. Supreme Court, which in 1948 will rule in her favor.