Hair Discrimination Now Illegal In Illinois Schools Under New Law

ILLINOIS — Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Friday signed a bill aimed at ending discrimination based on hairstyles — namely those associated with race, including protective Black hairstyles — in Illinois schools.

The new law says schools "will not prohibit hairstyles historically associated with race, ethnicity, or hair texture, including, but not limited to, protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists."

The law bans public and private schools from making dress codes that don't allow hairstyles like braids, dreadlocks and cornrows.

"For so many people, how you dress and how you look is an expression of who you are," Pritzker said Friday. "For others, the choices as simple as deciding what makes them the most comfortable and confident in their own skin. That should be the beginning and the end of the conversation. But for decades, Black people have too often had their natural and protective hairstyles weaponized against them."

After signing the bill, Pritzker tweeted, "I'm proud we're continuing to make powerful strides in transforming the culture of our schools."

The bill was passed by both the Illinois House and Senate in May, but before it was signed by Pritzker, it was referred back to the Senate for a name change. Now it's known as the Jett Hawkins Law, named after a 4-year-old Chicago boy who was told he couldn't wear his new braids at school due to the dress code.

Gus "Jett" Hawkins had his hair braided by his mother and was excited to show off his new style at Providence St. Mel school, only for the boy's mom to get a call from school officials informing her the braids were against school dress code.

Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago), who sponsored the bill in the Senate, said he wrote the bill after hearing Jett's story.

"We have turned the page in Illinois so that Black youth can come to school and wear their hair in a way that honors their heritage without being traumatized by outdated and racist policies," Simmons said in a tweet thanking Pritzker on Friday.

He also spoke out thanking Jett's mother, Ida Nelson, who fought back after being told her son could not wear his braids to school.