SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Mike Simmons’ new law expands the 2022 Jett Hawkins Act to include protections for religious hairstyles in private schools throughout the state.
“We are expanding protections for students across Illinois,” said Simmons (D-Chicago). “This expansion ensures that individuals expressing their identity through religious hairstyles can continue in school without the fear of persecution.”
Simmons’ law requires private, non-religious schools to affirm they will not prohibit religious hairstyles or hair-related religious practices, including facial hair worn pursuant to a student’s or employee’s sincerely held religious beliefs, in order to register with the Illinois State Board of Education.
The new law also prohibits school uniform or dress code policies from restricting such religious expression. These requirements do not apply to private religious schools.
“An individual’s hair is a key component to their identity and Illinois knows this representation should be protected,” Simmons said. “We are taking a vital step in protecting residents’ ability to express themselves in schools, and I am proud to fight for the students and educators who are simply trying to live their life here in Illinois.”
Senate Bill 3361 was signed into law on Friday and is effective immediately.
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