Tag: tax

Back-to-School State Tax Holiday Aug 7-16

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
Back-to-School State Tax Holiday Aug 7-16

With the start of the new school year approaching, State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-West Chicago, is encouraging parents to take advantage of the Back-to-School State Tax Holiday on school supplies, clothing, shoes and other items over a 10-day period, starting this Friday, Aug. 7 through Aug. 16.

“As a parent and former teacher, I know how expensive it can be to gather supplies for the upcoming school year,” said Hirschauer. “That’s why, down in Springfield, I worked diligently with my colleagues to support a state sales tax holiday that’ll help parents and teachers pay less on the necessities their students need for school.”

Starting this Friday, Aug. 7, the state’s sales tax will drop from 6.25% down to 1.25% on common back-to-school items, such as:

  • Clothes and school uniforms
  • Shoes, boots and sandals
  • Seasonal apparel, including coats, rain jackets, swimwear, hats and gloves
  • School and office supplies, including paper, pens and pencils, calculators and writing tablets
  • Backpacks and lunchboxes
  • And more!

Some exclusions apply. To view a thorough list of applicable items and exclusions, visit the Illinois Department of Revenue at: https://tax.illinois.gov/research/publications/bulletins/fy-2026-30.html.

“Our students deserve quality supplies in their classrooms, and I hope parents and teachers are able to take advantage of this opportunity to buy school necessities at a discounted price,” said Hirschauer.

Chalkboard with text in white and yellow stating "From August 7 through August 16 you'll save on: Clothes and school uniforms, Shoes, boots, and sandals, Seasonal Apparel including coats, rain jackets, swimwear, hats, and gloves, School and office supplies including paper, pens and pencils, calculators, and writing tablets, Backpacks and Lunchboxes, and more!"
Blue graphic with small shopping cart filled with regular-sized school supplies. Texts states, "From August 7 through August 16 you'll save on: Clothes and school uniforms, Shoes, boots, and sandals, Seasonal Apparel including coats, rain jackets, swimwear, hats, and gloves, School and office supplies including paper, pens and pencils, calculators, and writing tablets, Backpacks and Lunchboxes, and more!"

Hirschauer Firearm Safety Tax Credit Bill Advances Out of Committee

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
Hirschauer Firearm Safety Tax Credit Bill Advances Out of Committee

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Maura Hirschauer, D-West Chicago, passed legislation out of the Revenue and Finance Committee that would incentivize the purchase of firearm safety devices including gun safes, lock boxes, or any device that is secured by a key or combination.

“The best and most effective gun violence prevention policies are based on common sense with input from responsible gun owners,” said Hirschauer. “Advancements in biometric technology allow firearm owners to prioritize the ability to secure their firearms without sacrificing quick access for reasons of self defense. We secure our phones with a fingerprint – imagine how effective this technology is for a small handgun safe in your car or bedside table.”

Hirschauer’s House Bill 1790 would create the Safe Storage Tax Credit, which would make it easier for gun owners to purchase firearm safety devices by creating a new tax credit, for up to $300 per year.

“It is on all of us to keep our families and communities safe by practicing safe gun ownership and locking all firearms in the home,” said Hirschauer. “Many gun deaths are preventable with simple and commonsense safety measures.”

House Bill 1790 is advancing to the House Floor for consideration.

Maura Hirschauer headshot 2022

Rep. Maura Hirschauer

(D-Batavia)
49th District

Springfield Office:
270-S Stratton Office Building
Springfield, IL 62706
(217) 782-1653

District Office:
946 Neltnor Blvd #104
West Chicago IL 60185

Statement on Governor Pritzker’s Budget Proposal

Posted on by Office of Maura Hirschauer
Statement on Governor Pritzker’s Budget Proposal
 

Budget proposal is fiscally and socially responsible

Today, the Governor outlined a fiscally and socially responsible budget proposal that demonstrates that Illinois is on the strongest financial footing we’ve had in decades. We can use this surplus to invest in the people and communities who need help the most, be great stewards of our debt, and set the stage for future growth. 

After almost two years of struggling through a global pandemic, working families are in desperate need of support. I appreciate that the governor’s proposal includes using much of this surplus to provide direct tax relief to families and their everyday needs. Illinoisans are feeling the pain of inflation while still recovering from the financial hit of the pandemic. The Governor’s proposal for a 1-year moratorium on state grocery taxes and a 1-year freeze on the gas tax will give families assistance in these unprecedented times.

Throughout the pandemic our students and teachers have suffered through interrupted learning; and working families have struggled to find and maintain affordable childcare. I am glad to see Governor Pritzker is calling for half a billion dollars to fund preK-12 schools, which includes $150 million for early childhood education. Prioritizing state dollars to support our talented students, teachers, administrators, and support staff is critical to growing a strong and bright future.

However, to truly make a difference in the lives of Illinois families, we cannot ignore the importance of early intervention services and affordable day care. Throughout the pandemic our littlest and most vulnerable learners have received interrupted early intervention care. Disparities in development and kindergarten readiness, already wide, are growing deeper and more stark with underfunding of critical programs. Child care providers, early childhood educators, and caregivers need well-funded support to grow programs to meet the needs of Illinois families. I urge the Governor to expand the 10% increase for early education to include Early Intervention (EI) services and the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP).

Governor Prizker presented us with a budget that puts the needs of Illinoisans first. His proposal marks an optimistic start to our budgeting process and I look forward to digging into the details to ensure that folks in the 49th District have the support they need to thrive.

Maura Portrait

 

“After almost two years of struggling through a global pandemic, working families are in desperate need of support. I appreciate that the governor’s proposal includes using much of this surplus to provide direct tax relief to families and their everyday needs.”

 

 

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