By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Maybe state lawmakers are ready for a couple of days off.

A lengthy, heated debate in the Illinois Senate Friday was about a bill requiring Illinois foster parents to have a “hair care plan” to assist in allowing the foster child’s hair to be worn in a way reflecting the child’s culture. State Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Cherry Valley) spoke against it.

“I think if we really want to help these children, we should give these same dollars – potential millions of dollars this is going to cost – to helping foster parents with extra help for tutoring or for counseling,” Syverson said, “so they learn what’s important, so they actually learn to read and write and do math.

“Let’s focus on the priorities.”

Syverson also argued the “hair care plan” would force foster parents to incur extra costs.

State Sen. Dave Koehler (D-Peoria) recalled his childhood in South Dakota, where Native American children were taken away.

“The first thing that was done is they cut their hair,” said Koehler. “Think about that. Think about the culture of the Native Americans and what their hair meant to them. This is a racial discussion, and I choose not to be racist. and I’m going to vote for this bill.”

The sponsor, State Sen. Mike Simmons (pictured) (D-Chicago), is a Black man known for his distinctive hairstyles. He said opposing the bill means you are siding with Jim Crow.

HB 5097 has passed the Senate, 49-9, and goes to the House.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].