Who articulated Dillon's Rule?

Dillon's Rule is named after Judge John F. Dillon, who articulated this legal principle in the 19th century. This rule states that local governments have only the powers that are expressly granted to them by the state government, or those that are necessarily implied by those powers. Dillon's contributions focused on clarifying the relationship and boundaries between state and local authority, which has had lasting implications in the field of municipal law and governance.

The significance of Dillon's Rule lies in its emphasis on the limited nature of local government authority, reinforcing the hierarchical structure of government that prioritizes state power over local autonomy. Understanding this principle is crucial for comprehending how local governments operate within the framework established by their respective states, and it serves as a foundational concept for students studying state and local government in a broader context.