Illinois wants hair stylists, barbers, cosmetologists, estheticians, hair braiders and nail technicians to identify domestic abuse victims by spying on their customers.

According to an article in the Chicago Tribune, a new Illinois law will force hair stylists, barbers, cosmetologists, nail technicians etc., to report domestic violence by taking advantage of their trusted relationship between their clients.

“There’s an openness, a freeness, a relationship that last years or decades between the client and the cosmetologist,” Illinois state Rep. Fran Hurley said. “They’re in a position to see something that may or may not be right.” 

What she’s really saying is, it’s easier to spy on people that trust you.

“Hairstylists, barbers, cosmetologists, estheticians, hair braiders and nail technicians in Illinois will receive an hour of mandated abuse-prevention training as part of the licensing process. The law does not require them to report any violence, and it shelters them from any liability.”

Did you catch that? A hairstylist can’t be sued for calling the police on anyone they suspect might be abused. They’re free from liability, so what’s to stop them from calling the police on someone they don’t like or didn’t tip enough?

According to the article, soon Illinois will have 88,000 SPYING beauty professionals!

“That’s 88,000 more individuals that will be able to have conversations with family and friends and clients, and that raises awareness about domestic violence and sexual assault” Kristie Paskvan, the founder of Chicago Says No More said.

The Illinois law will be enforced by the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation a federally run department. If you guessed DHS has something to do with this, give yourself a gold star. DHS runs the Illinois Department of Human Services which handles domestic abuse.