KANKAKEE – Illinois will institute a 10-day tax holiday on school supplies, and working families and teachers can expect to have reduced shopping costs ahead of the upcoming school year, thanks to support from State Senator Patrick Joyce.

“For educators and working families, back-to-school shopping can be a stressful time due to the costs of new items needed for every school year,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “Instituting a tax holiday will help relieve burdensome costs in order to ensure students are prepared for the upcoming school year.”

The law lowers the state tax rate on school supplies and eligible clothes and footwear from 6.25% down to 1.25% for 10 days. This tax break began on Aug. 5 and will go through Aug. 14, 2022.

“For our students to be successful in school, it is important they are provided with new supplies each year,” said Joyce. “I urge all Illinois families and educators to make use of this tax break in order to contribute to our students’ success.”

Public Act 102-0700 took effect on April 19, 2022 and was fully implemented with the Fiscal Year 2023 state budget on July 1, 2022.

SOUTH CHICAGO HEIGHTS – To provide residents with a way to safely discard documents containing personal information, State Senator Patrick Joyce will host a free shred event in South Chicago Heights.

Joyce recognizes the importance of keeping individuals personal information protected and encourages community members to take advantage of the free shred event.

“Identity theft is an issue that plagues around 33% of Americans,” said Joyce (D-Essex). “By hosting this shred event, I urge residents to declutter their old personal documents and dispose of them securely so they do not fall victim to this issue.”

The event will be as follows:

• WHAT:  Free Shred Event
• WHEN: Thursday, August 4 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• WHERE:  South Chicago Heights Senior Center parking lot, 3317 Chicago Rd., South Chicago Heights, IL

SOUTH CHICAGO HEIGHTS – State Senator Patrick Joyce is hosting a shred event in the community for residents to discard documents with personal information. This event will allow community members an opportunity to safely dispose of important documents that may contain sensitive information.

The free shred event will occur on Thursday, August 4 from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the South Chicago Heights Senior Center parking lot, located at 3317 Chicago Road, South Chicago Heights, IL.

The event is free to all residents, though each car is limited to three boxes of documents. It will last until 1 p.m. or until all shred trucks are full.