SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois House unanimously passed a bill Thursday to ban private schools from penalizing students or staff with religious hairstyles.

The plan expands the current state law that prohibits public and private schools from banning hairstyles associated with race, ethnicity or hair texture.

Rabbis asked state lawmakers to file the bill to protect Orthodox Jewish students with beards. Although, Rep. Kevin Olickal (D-Skokie) explained it can apply to students and staff of any faith.

"No student should have to choose between their faith and their education," Olickal said. "No employee should fear discipline or discrimination because they wear their hair, beard, turban, hijab or other appearance in accordance with religious beliefs."

Sectarian schools will be exempt if they are not subject to requirements that restrict their ability to adopt, enforce or apply policies regarding religious hairstyles.

Senate Bill 3361 passed out of the House on an 84-20 vote. The measure previously received a 50-5 vote in the Senate. It now heads to Gov. JB Pritzker’s desk.

"Hair is a vital part of someone’s identity, and for so many in Illinois, it represents what they believe and feel," said Sen. Mike Simmons (D-Chicago). "Students and faculty should be able to express themselves as they see fit in all spaces, and I am proud to champion this legislation."

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