House passes Ammons bill allowing people leaving prison to receive financial aid for college

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois House passed legislation Thursday to allow former or currently incarcerated people to participate in higher education programs and receive financial aid.

Rep. Carol Ammons (D-Urbana) said recent Prison Policy data show nearly 70% of incarcerated people have interest in getting a college degree, but only 3% have post-high school education.

Her proposal would allow these prospective college students to receive MAP grant funding as they leave the Illinois Department of Corrections.

"Those who are incarcerated may not be paying taxes currently, but all of their family members are paying into the same pot that we're trying to get them access to," Ammons said. "The estimated cost for this is insignificant to the state budget."

Ammons explained this change would only cost the state $3.2 million for the next fiscal year.

House Bill 2466 passed out of the House on a 72-39 vote. The plan now moves to the Senate for further consideration.