PEORIA, Ill. — House Bill 5558 was introduced by Representative Allen Skillicorn (R-Crystal Lake), that would not require barbers, cosmetologists, estheticians, braiding, or nail techs to have a license and work at an establishment.
In a statement, Skillicorn said: “Occupational licensing and training requirements have gone far beyond any reasonable intent. The growing interference by the state that prevents working-class people from earning an income must be reined in. My bill calls for clearly posting a notice to alert customers that the provider of services is not licensed. Consumers are savvy purchasers. They can decide for themselves whether a business is providing them with the quality and safety they desire.”
If passed, the bill would amend the Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding, and Nail Technology Act of 1985, to not require these professions to have a license to work at an establishment if a notice is posted.
Local cosmetologists are not supportive of the bill.
Kara Ksycki, cosmetologist of over 25 years and owner of Razor’s Edge salon in Washington, said their position is a trade with licenses that are renewed every other year.
“We display our licenses, we’re proud of them,” Ksycki said. “We will remain licensed.”
To become a licensed professional, cosmetologists learn many different subjects in school, such as anatomy.
“We can tell you bones, we can tell you muscles. We have to know the central nervous system. But, we also have to know code of ethics. We have to know chemicals that you can’t pronounce on the back of a shampoo bottle. We know what those are,” Ksycki said.
Final exams in cosmetology school are 1,500 question tests that must be passed with an 85% or higher.
“You have to pass them, there’s no fail,” Ksycki said. “If you don’t, you have to take it again. Which means you have to study again.”
Ksycki said that hair stylists can alert their clients to certain health issues.
“Not saying we can diagnose, we don’t diagnose. But, we say please go see your doctor,” she said.
Ksycki said she has helped several people over the years.
“I have a customer that I told him to get a mole checked out. He came back in and said yeah, you were right, that was cancer,” Ksycki said.
Licenses allow professionals to have insurance, and allow them to purchase professional supplies.
Ksyski said when it is time to renew her license, she will always renew it.
Amanda Ellison, a licensed cosmetologist and co-owner of Matriarch Hair Company in Peoria, agreed that she will also keep her license up to date.
“We go to special supply houses that only sell to licensed professionals,” Ellison said. “They would not be able to use professional product on your hair, or your skin, or whatever you’re needing done.”
Ellison said that in cosmetology school she learned how to properly use the products and chemicals that are sold at supply houses.
“You just can’t put that stuff on somebody’s head, or skin, or nails without understanding the theory behind it and what the chemicals are,” Ellison said.
The beauty industry is never stagnant, and stylists are always learning about new chemicals and products.
“You have to get your continuing education hours. The beauty industry is ever changing. I mean there’s always something new, and we do intensive three day courses sometimes on new chemicals that have come out,” Ellison said.
Licensed professionals must have at least 14 hours of continued education over a 2 year period of time.
“I know that me and a lot of the stylists that I know have gone well over that because we care deeply about what we are doing and we’re passionate about it,” Ellison said.
Cosmetologists are also required to take other classes such has how to spot domestic violence.
“We love the people that we have in our chair,” Ellsion said. “There are things now that we have put into place for people that are victims of domestic violence, like hey this is a safe place and we want to make sure that you are safe.”
Both Ksycki and Ellison agree that the salons they are at would not hire unlicensed hair stylists or nail techs due to concerns with health, safety, and education.
Hair stylists are encouraging the community to reach out to state representatives by email or phone to let them know where they stand with this bill.
