On March 23, the Illinois House overwhelming approved a bill that would make it much easier for immigrants and others to provide professional hair braiding--and thus get to work and contribute to our economy. The bill, HB 5783, sponsored by Rep. Will Burns with 26 cosponsors from both parties, was crafted by United African Organization (UAO), ICIRR, the Illinois Association of Cosmetology Schools (IACS), and other partners.

Hair braiding includes braiding, cornrowing, extending, lacing, locking, sewing, twisting, weaving or wrapping hair and fibers, all without applying chemicals. For many African immigrants and African Americans, hair braiding is a traditional craft. Unfortunately, current laws treat hair braiders as cosmetologists, and require them to go through excessive hours of training (much of it irrelevant) in order to get licensed.

Please call your State Senator and ask him or her to co-sponsor HB 5783.

HB 5783 would set reasonable requirements for licenses, including 300 hours of training on health, safety, business practices, and braiding techniques. It would also allow people currently providing professional braiding to get temporary licenses while completing 65 hours of training.

HB 5783 won support from State Representatives from both parties: it frees up would-be entrepreneurs to set up and maintain businesses, puts people to work and generates tax revenues, and provides reasonable regulations to protect public health and safety. The bill now goes to the State Senate.

Please call your State Senator and ask him or her to co-sponsor HB 5783.