Lawmaker wants to end breast pump sales tax

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS/WRSP) — An Illinois lawmaker says she wants to make it easier for families to get breastfeeding products.

A proposed bill would get rid of the sales tax on breast pumps and related supplies.

“Breast pumps are a basic necessity for nursing parents, especially ones who need to return to work and can’t breast feed regularly,” said Senator Cristina Castro, D-Elgin. “A sales tax on these products is just one more financial barrier for mothers to try to overcome.”

Senate Bill 3634 would exempt breast pumps, breast pump collection and storage supplies and breast pump kits from sales tax, which is currently 6.25% of the cost.

If signed into law, Illinois would join eight states that have already made breast pumps and related supplies exempt from state sales tax.

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SB 3634, which Castro is a co-sponsor of, passed the Senate Friday and now moves to the floor for further consideration.