Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago
Illinois schools soon won’t be able to ban students from wearing traditionally Black hairstyles thanks to a West Side mom’s fight and a bill headed for the governor’s desk.
Officially called the Jett Hawkins Law, the new rule will call on the Illinois State Board of Education to complete a review of school handbooks and policies to ensure they don’t single out and ban Black hairstyles like cornrows, locs and braids. Schools that don’t comply will face funding cuts and may lose their recognition with the Illinois State Board of Education.