On July 1, 2008, several taxing jurisdictions in Illinois have either imposed a tax or changed their tax rate on sales for home rule, non-home rule, county public safety or transportation, county school facility or business district sales taxes. The new state and local combined rate will be preprinted on Line 4a of your ST-1 Sales and Use Tax Return, as a total general merchandise rate.   One of the largest increases is in Cook County, which has a 1% sales tax increase, from .75% to 1.75% (bringing Chicago’s sales tax rate to 10.25% on July 1).  17 municipalities will increase their sales tax rates on July 1, including: Bloomington (+.25% to 7.75%), Crystal Lake (+.75% to 7.75%), DeKalb (.50% to 8.00%), Downers Grove (+.25% to 8.00%), Sycamore (+.50% to 7.50%), Volo (+1.00% to 8.00%) and West Chicago (+.50% to 7.75%). If you have any questions about what tax rate you should be charging, contact Joanne Rock at or 312-580-3032.