SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — School is right around the corner and Illinois is helping families prepare with a sales tax holiday for school supplies and clothes.

Illinoisans will have 10 days to take advantage of the back to school sales tax holiday to buy anything from notebooks and pens to shoes and T-shirts.

"Parents will keep more of their hard-earned dollars while students will get what they need to start the school year off right," said Gov. JB Pritzker.

Families and teachers will see the sales tax drop from 6.25% to 1.25% starting Friday.

This can be used for clothing and footwear with a retail price of less than $125 per item. However, school supplies are not subject to the $125 threshold.

This election year relief was included in the Fiscal Year 2027 budget, which passed without any Republican support.

"I'm really proud to stand here with my colleagues, with our economic development folks, with people who care about everyone, including our youngest Illinoisans that we want to set up for the future," said Rep. Mary Beth Canty (D-Arlington Heights).

The Illinois Retail Merchants Association said affordability underpins every decision families experience this time of year. IRMA CEO Rob Karr said retailers always run aggressive sales to help people buy school supplies and clothes, but the sales tax holiday will help customers even more.

"With two-thirds of Illinois' population living within a border and bordering seven states, we would encourage all of our bordering state families to come to Illinois to do their shopping as well because the relief benefits them as well should they choose to shop here," Karr said.

The sales tax holiday runs from Aug. 7-16. You can find more information by clicking here. 

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