Back-to-school sales tax holiday is meant to help Illinois families

Posted on August 5, 2022
The back-to-school sales tax holiday runs through Aug. 14. (WJBC file photo)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Back-to-school shopping brings mixed feelings for kids, with summer almost over and the first day of school looming closer.

The state intends to make it a less painful time of year for families, rolling back the state’s portion of the sales tax from 6.25 percent to 1.25 percent for school-related merchandise. That includes clothes, and that includes shoes.

“Countless families find it impossible to meet their children’s back-to-school needs financially,” said Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood). “And I’m also talking about grandparents who are raising grandchildren – and those who find themselves in a predicament that they generally would not be in.”

The back-to-school sales tax holiday runs through Aug. 14.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

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