Dupage Policy Journal

State Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst) is reminding her constituents that Illinois is reducing the sales tax on certain items for back-to-school shopping. Illinois lawmakers have also enacted a number of other bills aimed at schools and students.

"Friday, August 5th officially starts a state sales tax rollback on school supplies," Mazzochi wrote in an Aug. 2 Facebook post. "Illinois shoppers will be able to purchase school supplies for reduced costs through Aug. 14. Retailers will reduce the state sales tax to almost 1.25%, down from 6.25% for 10 days as parents, students, and teachers make their annual back-to-school supply purchases."

In her Facebook post, Mazzochi shared an article from the The State Journal-Register reporting that sales tax on school supplies will be reduced from 6.25% to 1.25% from Aug. 5 through 14 as part of Senate Bill 157. Supplies including book bags, calculators, erasers, highlighters, lunch boxes, notebooks, pens and pencils are included, as well as apparel items such as belts, shirts and blouses, shorts and pants, skirts and dresses, rain gear, lab coats, and jackets. Items such as cellphones and jewelry are not included.

According to a press release from Sen. John Curran (R-Lemont), Illinois lawmakers have enacted multiple other bills related to schools and students, including Senate Bill 3936, which requires the Illinois State Police (ISP) to collaborate with other state agencies in responding to individuals with mental health issues who have expressed thoughts about attacking others at school. The legislation builds on Illinois' existing Safe2Help program, which provides a hotline for students to send in tips about concerning behavior.

House Bill 4316 adds a layer of protection against teachers who have engaged in or been credibly accused of sexual misconduct by requiring superintendents to notify parents and the school board. The law also requires school boards to review the employment histories of new hires to verify that the teachers have not been previously fired for sexual misconduct. House Bill 3296 aims to enhance career exploration and development activities for students by providing opportunities for school districts to develop and implement programs through which older students can explore a variety of high-skill, in-demand career fields.