Illinois legislator proposes $25M for voter engagement via salons and barbershops

Illinois State Representative La Shawn Ford, a Democrat from Chicago, has filed House Bill 5812, which proposes allocating up to $25 million in state taxpayer funds to promote voter registration and civic engagement.

The proposal would direct the Illinois Secretary of State to provide grants to Data Foundation Inc. These funds would assist professionals licensed under the Barber, Cosmetology, Esthetics, Hair Braiding and Nail Technology Act—such as barbers and nail technicians—in encouraging civic participation.

Ford argued that since politicians frequently visit these service-oriented businesses during campaigns, they serve as ideal hubs for engagement. He suggested that increased voter participation could help the state advocate more effectively for federal funding in Washington, D.C. The bill also aims to potentially increase census participation.