Hinsdale families buying back-to-school clothing and supplies will pay 5% less in sales tax starting Friday, Aug. 7, through Sunday, Aug. 16, under a state sales tax holiday that hasn't been available since 2022.

The 10-day window, created by Public Act 104-0468 and signed into law June 16, cuts the state's 6.25% sales tax rate to 1.25% on qualifying items. With Hinsdale's combined sales tax rate at 10%, shoppers will see an effective rate of about 5% on eligible purchases during the holiday. That's $5 back on every $100 spent, or roughly $25 saved on a $500 haul for a family outfitting multiple kids.

Qualifying items include clothing and footwear priced under $125 per item and school supplies at any price point. The Illinois Department of Revenue lists backpacks, binders, calculators, notebooks, pens, pencils, rulers and scissors among eligible supplies. Clothing covers everything from uniforms and coats to socks and sneakers, as long as each piece rings up below $125. Items marked down by a store coupon or sale count at their reduced price, so a $130 jacket discounted to $120 qualifies.

What doesn't qualify: jewelry, handbags, cosmetics, electronics, computers and any clothing or footwear at $125 or above.

Where to shop downtown

Several Washington Street retailers carry qualifying merchandise. My Sister Kate, a children's boutique at 48 S. Washington St., stocks clothing and footwear for newborns through girls size 14 and boys size 8. J. McLaughlin, at 53 S. Washington St., sells clothing and shoes for adults. Both are open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The holiday arrives three weeks after the Hinsdale Chamber of Commerce's annual summer sidewalk sale on July 17 and 18, giving downtown retailers a second traffic boost heading into fall.

Timing lines up with school start

Hinsdale Central High School students begin classes Wednesday, Aug. 12. District 181 elementary students return Wednesday, Aug. 19. The tax holiday covers the final shopping days before both start dates.

"I encourage families to plan ahead, take advantage of these savings and support the local businesses that serve our communities," state Rep. Nicole La Ha (R-Lemont) said in a press release promoting the holiday.

Illinois had no back-to-school sales tax holiday from 2023 through 2025. Local and municipal taxes still apply in full during the 10-day window, which ends at close of business Sunday, Aug. 16.