Illinois' school shopping tax holiday starts Aug. 7
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Illinois is bringing back its 10-day Back-to-School State Tax Holiday, giving shoppers a temporary break on clothing and school supplies before classes begin.
Why it matters: Families are expected to spend record amounts on back-to-school shopping this year, making even a temporary tax break more meaningful.
The latest: Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday promoted the upcoming tax breaks, which lawmakers approved as part of the state budget in May.
How it works: From Aug. 7–16, shoppers will pay the state's reduced 1.25% sales tax — down from the usual 6.25% — on qualifying clothing and school supplies. Local sales taxes still apply.
Yes, but: The temporary tax break comes just days after Chicago and parts of Cook County saw their combined sales tax rise to 10.5%, among the highest local sales tax rates in the nation.
The other side: Republican and independent candidates for governor criticized the holiday, arguing it amounts to a temporary election year tax break rather than lasting relief.
- "Illinois working families need real relief, not political theater," independent gubernatorial candidate Collin Corbett said in a statement. "They don't just feel the squeeze when buying notebooks and crayons the first week of August, they feel it every single day when paying among the highest sales taxes in the nation."
By the numbers: U.S. families expect to spend nearly $1,000 on average on back-to-school shopping this year, according to a PwC survey.
- Nearly half expect to spend more than they did last year.
State of play: Families in the Midwest plan to outspend the national average of $922 — which includes clothes, tech, equipment for after-school activities, books, school supplies and other one-time purchases.
What's happening: Prices are higher, classroom needs have changed and kids have more say over what families buy — including requests for pricier items.
Zoom out: Total K–12 back-to-school spending could climb around 10% this year compared to last, hitting a record $43.3 billion, the National Retail Federation forecasts.
What's next: The tax holiday runs Aug. 7–16. Here's the state's full list of qualifying purchases.