'Tampon tax' exemption ordinance proposed by city aldermen

CHICAGO (WLS) -- Ald. Leslie Hairston and Edward M. Burke have introduced an ordinance to exempt tampons and sanitary napkins from the City of Chicago's sales tax.

The aldermen, of the 5th and 14th Wards, say that the feminine hygiene products have a tax rate of 10.25 percent - 6.25 percent of which includes a sales tax, a 1.75 percent county tax, a 1.25 percent city tax and a 1 percent Regional Transportation Authority tax.

The ordinance would reclassify the products as "medical appliances," exempting them from taxation in the municipal code.

The aldermen said tampons are already exempt from taxation in Minnesota, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland and Massachusetts.