SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois House Education Policy Committee approved a bill Wednesday to ban private schools from penalizing students or staff with religious hairstyles. 

This plan expands the current state law that bans public and private schools from prohibiting hairstyles associated with race, ethnicity, or hair texture.

Rabbis asked state lawmakers to file a bill to protect Orthodox Jewish students with beards.

"Some Orthodox men are prohibited by Jewish law from shaving entirely, while others maintain a beard as religious custom," said Rabbi Shlomo Soroka from Agudath Israel of Illinois. "Additionally, a Jewish student or educator may appear at school during certain periods unshaven, not because of a lack of hygiene, but rather because the Jewish calendar demands it at that time."

Sectarian schools would be exempt if they are not subject to requirements that restrict their ability to adopt, enforce, or apply policies regarding religious hairstyles. Yet, Illinois Freedom Caucus members said they have philosophical issues with state government encroaching on private schools.

The plan passed out of committee on an 8-2 vote and now heads to the House floor for further consideration. Senate Bill 3361 passed out of the Senate on a 50-5 vote last month. 

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