Stadelman bill could help low-income parents obtain GEDs
Senator Steve Stadelman passed in committee last week a bill that would count GED studies as a way for low-income parents to meet requirements for obtaining financial assistance from the state.
The legislation is expected to move to the full Illinois Senate for a vote this week.
Currently, the state's TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) benefits are awarded to low-income parents who work, participate in job training or other "core activities." Senate Bill 2906 would expand the range of acceptable core activities to include pursuit of a General Equivalency Diploma.
"We have roughly 45,000 adults in the Rockford area who have not complete high school, and that education gap makes us less competitive economically as a community," Stadelman said. "Right now, we're basically telling people that education is not important. But we're all better off if we have a highly skilled workforce."
Senate approves new proposals to address budget gridlock
Last week, Steve Stadelman joined other Senate Democrats to advance another proposal to relieve some of the pain caused by the state's budget stalemate.
Senate Bill 2046 was delivered to Gov. Bruce Rauner's desk Thursday. It's a stopgap measure to get much-needed money to public universities and community colleges, human service providers and the state’s college tuition assistance program – all of which are threatened because of Rauner’s continuing budget standoff with the General Assembly.
"This bill offers stability for state services the Rockford community depends on, like Rock Valley College and the Rosecrance Triage Center. Without a long-term funding plan, the future of those facilities and others remains in question," Stadelman said. “I strongly encourage the governor to sign this legislation and end the ongoing budget impasse."
Gov. Rauner vetoed past legislative attempts to help him provide state money to these vital services.
St. Paul students impress Stadelman with knowledge of government
Students in Toni Beck's 6th- and 7th-grade government class impressed Senator Steve Stadelman with their understanding of state government and current political issues in Illinois. The former TV news anchor and reporter said he fielded substantive questions last week when he visited St. Paul Lutheran School to speak about his work as a state legislator.
