May 5, 2021 – Public schools could lose some state funding if they apply student dress codes to hairstyles under a bill being discussed in the Illinois State senate.
The measure was discussed in a legislative committee, where senator Mike Simmons of Chicago said it is time to end old policies that discriminate against minority students.
“We’ve seen a lot of instances of black children across the city of Chicago, the state of Illinois, and across the country who have been traumatized by outdated school policies that, to put it bluntly, police their hairstyles,” said Simmons.
Schools that refuse to comply would have their state funding kept at the previous year’s levels. While committee members agreed the change is needed, some questioned the harsh penalty.
Simmons says negotiations are ongoing.
