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."

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