HR0789 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0789 LRB098 18508 GRL 53645 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Adult education has the power to transform the national economy and local family budgets; and

WHEREAS, There are 39 million adults who do not have a high school diploma; high school dropouts cost the United States $1.8 billion annually; and

WHEREAS, Adults who earn a General Educational Development (GED) credential can earn the same level of weekly wages as high school graduates, increasing their earning potential by about $115 per week; and

WHEREAS, If the number of dropouts among Americans at the age of 20 was cut in half, the United States would gain $45 billion in tax revenues and lower costs for health, jail, and welfare; and

WHEREAS, In 2012, the unemployment rate for high school dropouts was 12.4%, while high school graduates were at 8.3%, those with some college but no degree at 7.7%, those with an associate degree at 6.2%, those with a bachelor degree at 4.5%, and those with master degree at 3.5%; and

WHEREAS, The GED program gives adults a fighting chance to go to college or get a good job with good wages; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we urge the Illinois Community College Board, as the administering agency, to not allow the price of taking the GED to rise above $50; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Executive Director and the Chair of the Illinois Community College Board.