CHICAGO — Cook County has followed the city in abolishing its "tampon tax."
Though feminine hygiene products like tampons and sanitary napkins were once considered luxury items, they've now been reclassified as "items of medical necessity" and aren't subject to the county's 1.75 percent tax on store-bought items.
The change comes just days after the city eliminated its own "tampon tax."
“As most women will attest, the monthly biological cycle that necessitates the procurement of feminine hygiene products is far from a luxury," said Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin (1st) in a statement. "And the additional tax that currently accompanies such items is disproportionately burdensome for low-income women.”
Boykin said the change could lead to a $14.7 million sales tax reduction. He called on the state to join the push and reduce its tax on feminine hygiene products from 6.25 percent to 1 percent to match the state tax people pay when buying food, medicine and medical supplies.
The taxes have been criticized by some as being sexist. Members of Chicago's City Council said the city's tax was "discriminatory" and "unfair." Mayor Rahm Emanuel said nixing the tax in the city was "the right thing to do."
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