A proposal that would eliminate five percent of the sales tax on textbooks at colleges and universities in Illinois may be gaining support in the 92nd General Assembly.
Originally proposed by Rep. Rich Winkel, (R-Champaign), last October, House Bill 15 would lower the cost of textbooks for all students at public community colleges and universities in the state.
The bill, as originally proposed, would have voided the entire 6 1/2 percent state tax.
According to a study by the University of Illinois Student Government, the bill would save a full-time student approximately $32.75 per year based on annual textbook purchases of $655. Lauren Sandberg, IVCC Bookstore Manager, estimated the savings for IVCC students at about $20 a semester.
Sandberg said bills exempting texts from sales taxes have been adopted by about ten other states.
Current status of the bill can be found at www . state . il. us/ scripts/ imstran. exe? LIBINCWHB0015.