Springfield, IL — Just in time for Tax Day, Senator Darby Hills (R-Barrington Hills) and Senator Sue Rezin (R-Morris) rolled out a legislative package aimed at lowering everyday costs for Illinois families by cutting taxes on essential items and expanding access to preschool and childcare.
The package includes proposals to eliminate state sales taxes on prescription medications and diapers, create tax credits to help families afford preschool, support early childhood educators, and encourage businesses to expand childcare options. Senate Republicans said the relief package builds on ongoing efforts to address the affordability pressures facing working families across Illinois.
“I filed this legislation because families are already stretched thin and should not be paying taxes on necessities like diapers and prescription medications,” said Hills. “These are everyday costs that families cannot avoid, yet many are struggling to afford. This is about affordability for families and making sure working parents can meet basic needs at home.”
Senator Darby Hills introduced legislation that aims to bring relief to the cost of basic necessities for families. Senate Bills 3851 and 3869 would remove state sales taxes on prescription medications and diapers, reducing costs for families, seniors, and individuals with medical needs.
Hills also filed Senate Bill 2382, which creates a tax credit for donating property for on-site childcare, and Senate Bill 2277, which increases tax credits for businesses that provide childcare. Under Senate Bill 2277, the start-up credit would increase from 30 percent to 50 percent, and the ongoing expense credit would increase from 5 percent to 20 percent. Together, the bills aim to expand childcare options for working families.
“When childcare is available and affordable, it helps families and employers alike,” Hills said. “These bills are designed to expand access and create more options for working parents.”
Senator Hills says that for too many working families, Illinois is becoming increasingly unaffordable. This package is aimed at lowering some of the everyday costs that make it harder to raise a family, stay in the workforce, and get ahead.
The package also includes Senate Bill 1647, which creates a tax credit of up to $1,500 per child for taxpayers who enroll their child in an eligible preschool program in Illinois. The measure is intended to make early education more affordable and help parents remain in the workforce.
“Preschool costs can be a major barrier for families,” Senator Rezin said. “This credit would help make high-quality early education more accessible and affordable.”
In addition, Senate Bill 1646 creates a refundable $1,000 tax credit for qualified early childhood educators, with annual increases tied to inflation after the first year. The proposal is designed to improve retention in a field that is essential to maintaining access to childcare and preschool services.
“If we want families to have access to childcare, we have to support the educators who make it possible,” Rezin said. “This proposal would help strengthen that workforce.”
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