In general, an organization can purchase things sales tax-free if it has received an Exemption Identification Number from the Illinoi Department of Revenue.

Usually, these organizations are schools, churches, charities, some senior citizen organizations, which purchase items for organizational purposes. In order to purchase items sales tax free, the purchaser is supposed to show the exemption letter or the E Number.

Businesses which resell other products can purchase items tax free, in which case sales tax is collected when the items are resold at retail.

Under certain conditions, you are exempt from sales tax if you buy a second division motor vehicle or trailer. In this case, you are exempt under the Commercial Distribution Fee (CDF) Sales Tax Exemption.

http://www.revenue.state.il.us/Publications/Pubs/PUB-104.PDF

http://www.stlrcga.org/x490.xml

The trains are fully booked during the holiday seasons, so it is more advisable to book the tickets earlier and also need to have a look at the holiday's trains and their timings, this will be really helpful for you to have a happy vacation.

Take a look on the Amtrak Vacation facilities:

http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer/Page/1241213285750/1237405732514

If you are looking for holiday or special trains, check the following link:

http://www.transitchicago.com/travel_information/holidaytrain.aspx