Carroll Bill Removes Sales Tax from School Lunches

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Legislation that would eliminate sales taxes on school lunch purchases is being sponsored by state Rep. Jonathan Carroll, D-Northbrook to help families keep more of their money to better care for their children.

“Meals at schools are often the main source of food for many students across Illinois, and they should not be nickeled and dimed for those meals,” said Carroll. “Sales taxes end up costing middle-class families too much of their money, but it is simply unfair to tax a child over his or her lunch at school. I am fighting to end that.”

Carroll’s Senate Bill 1755 would remove any and all sales taxes on meals bought from third-party vendors in schools during their breakfast and lunch periods across Illinois. Sales taxes on school meals and other transactions drain families in every corner of Illinois. Carroll’s legislation passed the Illinois Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support.

“This bill would ensure that no parent would be charged unfair taxes for the benefit of their child,” said Carroll. “If some parents only choice is to buy breakfast or lunch for their child from a third-party vendor at their school, we should lift any burdens off their backs so they can do what is best for their child.”