Charles F. Armstrong (1919-1965) served the 22nd District in the Illinois House of Representatives for five consecutive terms, from 1957 until his death in 1965. A Democrat with a strong interest in public education, Armstrong sponsored H.B. 113 (1963) amending the Illinois School Code to require revision of school districts to eliminate racial segregation of children. The "Armstrong law" was the first enacted by any state to combat de facto school segregation through redistricting. It was tested in court and held to be unconstitutional by the Illinois Supreme Court in 1967. This ruling was reversed after a rehearing in 1968. Armstrong was also a member of the Illinois School Problems Commission, 1962-1965, which produced legislation to provide special programs for culturally disadvantaged children.
From the description of Papers, 1959-1968. (University of Illinois-Chicago Library). WorldCat record id: 53062736
