The Chicago City Council has rescinded a city sales tax on tampons and sanitary napkins. The vote followed a recommendation that was made without opposition by the City Council's finance committee last week.
The items are taxed 10.25% in Chicago. The vote will remove Chicago's portion of that tax, or 1.25%. Supporters say the measure corrects an unfairness to women. Tampons and sanitary napkins are now characterized as medical necessities to be exempted.
The tax on the feminine products has become a national issue, with at least seven states now considering legislation. Also, five women in New York recently filed a lawsuit arguing that the tax is unconstitutional.
In Illinois, lawmakers recently advanced a measure to exempt feminine hygiene and incontinence products from the state sales tax.
