STARTING IN JANUARY, A NEW LAW AIMS TO END HAIR DISCRIMINATION IN THE WORKPLACE.

THE LAW IS CALLED THE “CROWN ACT” AND EXPANDS PROTECTIONS IN THE ILLINOIS HUMAN RIGHTS ACT TO INCLUDE ETHNIC HAIRSTYLES LIKE BRAIDS, LOCKS OR TWISTS. REPRESENTATIVE JEHAN-GORDON BOOTH OF PEORIA WAS A SPONSOR OF THE BILL AND DISCUSSED IT EARLIER THIS YEAR.

THIS FOLLOWS A SIMILAR LAW PASSED LAST YEAR PROHIBITING SCHOOL DISTRICTS FROM BANNING CERTAIN HAIRSTYLES IN THEIR DRESS CODE POLICIES. SENATOR MATTIE HUNTER OF CHICAGO SPOKE ABOUT THE TOPIC EARLIER THIS YEAR.

A 2019 STUDY FROM DOVE FOUND THAT 80 PERCENT OF BLACK WOMEN FELT THE NEED TO CHANGE THEIR HAIRSTYLES TO MEET SOCIAL NORMS OR EXPECTATIONS AT WORK. ADDITIONALLY, BLACK WOMEN ARE ONE AND A HALF TIMES MORE LIKELY TO BE SENT HOME BECAUSE OF THEIR HAIR.