In this week’s small victories for women: On August 21, GOP Gov. Bruce Rauner approved a bill that will repeal the statewide “tampon tax,” the Tribune reports.
Currently, feminine products are being taxed as a “luxury item” at 6.25 percent statewide (that’s 10.25 percent in Chicago). But on January 1, 2017, tampons and pads will be taxed at 1 percent, as a “necessity item.”
Yep, that feels more true to what tampons, uh, are. Managing our evolutionary-induced monthly crampfest (which, you know, allows us to “gestate life” or whatever) isn’t exactly a bubble bath.
The bill to repeal the tax was sponsored by State Sen. Melina Bush (D). The Lake County representative said of the tax:
"This is just the start of a conversation about the unfair 'pink taxes' women face as they buy products priced higher than similar ones marketed to men, or in this case, as they have to spend on products that men don't.”
This measure follows the Chicago City Council voting to uphold the tax in March, striking down a similar bill introduced by aldermen Ed Burke (14th ward) and Leslie Hairston (5th).
Women of Illinois thank you for the extra cash.