MARYVILLE – Working families and teachers will see lower back-to-school shopping costs this fall, thanks to a new law supported by State Senator Rachelle Crowe (D-Glen Carbon).

“As a nod to our working parents, guardians and teachers in Illinois, lowering the tax rate on school supplies removes a burden when preparing for the academic year,” Crowe said. “It is my hope that by instituting a tax holiday, we can help relieve families and educators of some financial costs in order to prepare students for the upcoming school year.”

The law lowers the state tax rate on clothes and school supplies from 6.25% down to 1.25% for 10 days from Aug. 5 to Aug. 14, 2022.

Every year, Missouri holds a tax-free weekend on school supplies, and Metro East families living near the border travel across the river to take advantage of the lower costs.

“By lowering the tax rate to be competitive with Missouri, we can give residents one more reason to shop local,” Crowe said. “We need to be doing all we can to support small businesses in our communities.”

Senate Bill 157 is effective immediately.

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