Sales tax holiday coming up for Illinois families buying school supplies
It's already August, and thousands of Chicago and suburban kids who have an early start to the school year were headed back to class Monday.
The Learn Charter School Network was among those that started Monday, three weeks ahead of Chicago Public Schools, to give their 4,000 students more resources in the summertime.
The youngsters' backpacks were filled with school supplies that cost 8% more than last year. But relief is on the way for them, and for those who start school in the weeks to come, with a sales tax holiday.
Even though inflation is slowing, researchers said tariffs and higher fuel prices are contributing to the rising cost of school supplies such as lunch boxes, notebooks, and glue sticks.
The timing hurts because on Saturday, Aug. 1, sales tax went up to fund public transit in Cook, Will, Lake, DuPage, McHenry and Kane counties.
The increase means an extra $10.50 — up from $10.25 — which is tacked onto a $100 purchase in Chicago proper.
But from Friday, Aug. 7, until Sunday, Aug. 16, a back-to-school sales tax holiday will reduce sales tax in Illinois by 5%. Illinois retailers will not charge consumers that portion of the tax on clothing up to $125 per item, and other school-related items.
"You know, the war in Iran, the tariffs, the federal corruption and lax antitrust policies in Washington have caused rising prices of everything from groceries to gas to housing to really everyday necessities, and as Illinois parents and students get ready for a new school year, everybody is feeling it." Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said Monday. "That's why the legislature and I declared a sales tax holiday for the back-to-school season."
The sales tax holiday applies to such goods as uniforms, sneakers, and bookbags.
The tax holiday does not cover cosmetics, wallets, or hair bows, and it also does not apply to sports equipment such as baseball gloves, cleats, or mouth guards.
Gov. Pritzker has pushed for the same sort of tax holiday before — legislators agreed to the last one in 2022.
"Illinoisans need relief. Americans need relief," Pritzker said. "The General Assembly and I have prioritized responsibly lowering costs wherever we could."
Meanwhile, people who don't have kids in school can take advantage of the tax holiday too — if they want to purchase and donate supplies to give back. The following school supply drives coincide with the tax holiday period:
- Kids Above All (Des Plaines): Runs until Aug. 20
- Sonshine Books, Backpacks & Beyond Free Family Back-to-School Event: Sunday, Aug. 23
- Children's Advocacy Center drive: (items due on August 7th to 1240 S. Damen Ave.)
- Central Credit Union of Illinois accepting supplies through Aug. 14 in Bellwood and Orland Park
- Gurnee Mills event on Aug. 8
- Unity Chicago Church, 5959 N. Sheridan Rd., collecting for Centro Romero serving refugee/immigrant students on Sundays through Aug. 16
- Mundelein schools accepting donations through Aug.10
- Donate supplies at Chicago Sky games, including Aug. 8 game against Indiana Fever
Charter school network students happy to be back in midsummer
The Learn Charter School Network was among those that started Monday, three weeks ahead of Chicago Public Schools, to give their 4,000 students more resources in the summertime.
The charter network is celebrating 25 years this year. Kids and teachers were pumped at the Learn Charter School Romano Butler Campus, 1132 S. Homan Ave.
"I'm going to third grade, and what I'm most excited for the year is when we have parties," said one young student, Kamaree Miller.
Kindergartner Marquis Mosley is ready for his first day ever at the Learn Charter School. He jumped up and down in joy.
Learn Charter Schools principal Sharanda Morehead explained how students react to starting school in midsummer.
"It's very rare that we get a few — maybe some middle school scholars — that want to stay and have a little bit long summer," she said, "but for the most part, our scholars are super excited to get back to the place where they consider family and home."
