St Joseph CCSD 169

08/09/2026

On this Sunday morning, we introduce to you new teacher Brenna Clark,

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08/08/2026

Our new teacher introductions continue today with Brevin Wells!

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08/07/2026

Welcome back! We are looking forward to seeing you all next week. I wanted to post our circle drive video again this year so our drop off progress goes smoothly. Pride169🐾

'How to' video commissioned by my local grade school, teaching pare...

08/07/2026

Today, we would like to introduce you to Maya Dye.

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08/06/2026

💙🥎💙Home Opener!💙🥎💙
Come cheer on the SJMS softball team in their home opener tonight at 4:30pm vs. Cumberland! GO PANTHERS!
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08/06/2026

Over the next several days, we will be introducing you to our new teachers. Please help us in welcoming them to St. Joseph CCSD #169.

We will start off by introducing Kylie Hockersmith.

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08/04/2026

08/01/2026

St. Joseph Grade School is in need of 1 more Aide. If interested contact Mrs. Wagner.

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07/27/2026

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07/22/2026

Illinois has brought back its Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday. Among its provisions: a 10-day back-to-school sales tax holiday running August 7 through August 16, 2026.

During that period, qualifying clothing and footwear priced less than $125 are subject to a reduced state sales tax rate of 1.25% — instead of the normal 6.25%.

Here's everything Illinois shoppers and retailers need to know before August 7.

The holiday doesn't just cover clothing and footwear. From August 7 through August 16, 2026, a reduced tax rate of 1.25% applies to clothing with a retail seller price of less than $125 — and also to school supplies, school art supplies, instructional materials, and computer supplies.

Breaking that down:

Clothing and footwear — under $125 per item:
Shirts, jeans, dresses, shoes, boots, jackets, coats, uniforms, and similar everyday clothing items. The $125 threshold applies per item.

School supplies:
The standard back-to-school lineup — notebooks, folders, pencils, pens, scissors, calculators, rulers, and similar supplies used for school.

School art supplies:
Paints, brushes, sketchbooks, colored pencils, and similar materials used for art classes.

Instructional materials:
Textbooks, workbooks, reference books, and similar materials used for learning.

Computer supplies:
Items used with computers — mice, keyboards, USB drives, printer paper, and similar accessories.

What "Reduced Rate" Means — Not Tax-Free

This is the most important distinction Illinois shoppers and retailers need to understand.

Illinois's holiday is not a tax-free period. It's a reduced-rate period.

Qualifying items are subject to a reduced rate of state sales tax of 1.25% instead of the normal 6.25%.

The 5% reduction in state rate translates to savings — but it's not zero. On a $100 purchase, Illinois shoppers pay $1.25 in state tax instead of $6.25. That's $5 in savings per $100 spent.

And local taxes still apply on top of the reduced state rate. The holiday reduces the state portion from 6.25% to 1.25% — but the local layer stays at whatever rate applies to the delivery address.

Hopefully, you can all find some bargains as you prepare for the new school year!

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