Lawmakers consider eliminating "Pink Tax"

SPRINGFIELD -- A day after the world celebratedInternational Women’s Day, lawmakers targeted a tax they say is unfair towomen.

Legislators want to eliminate the sales tax for women’shygiene products, also known as the “pink tax.” Supporters say taxingnecessities for women’s basic hygiene needs is discriminatory.

“It’s an inequitable tax,” State Senator Melinda Bush(D-Grayslake) said. “Women are paying 6.25 percent for sanitary napkins andtampons.”

Bush believes women shouldn’t be taxed for the product theyrely on each month.

“These are necessities, they’re not luxury items. And theyshouldn’t be taxed like luxury items,” Bush said.

The products are anything but cheap and many women likeStephanie Nicholson of Asley say they could use the extra cash on othernecessities.

“I buy them monthly, at least,” Nicholson said. “That’sdollars. Any dollar can help. I have to buy Pampers, diaper wipes, food… allkinds of stuff.”

Many say the tax is another example of how a government madeup of mostly men ignores those with less of a voice.

“I think if it came down to it and there were athletic menthat needed these types of things, there wouldn’t be any question of waivingany taxes,” Nicole Shomidie of Springfield said.

Some call to lower the tax to one percent which is the sameas groceries, but Bush wants it lowered to zero.

“It’s the wrong place to make revenue, it’s the wrongplace,” Bush said. “We make 79 cents on the dollar and we’re paying more forproducts that we absolutely need as a necessity.”

The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the tax in 1989.Lawmakers then narrowed the law and re-implemented the tax shortly after.