SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt presented Senate Resolution 5 to bring attention to the pressing issue of online safety for K-12 students and to support continued education aimed at preventing cyberbullying and promoting responsible digital behavior.

“Illinois students face real dangers in the digital world, and education is our strongest tool to keep them safe,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “This resolution highlights the vital work already being done and encourages greater collaboration to expand these life-saving lessons.”

The resolution commends the work of organizations like the Illinois Judges Association, which partners with schools across the state to educate students about the risks associated with internet and social media use. These efforts include assemblies, classroom presentations, and family-focused events that emphasize the importance of online safety and the consequences of illicit digital behavior.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt held a press conference to highlight legislation that would stop gyms and fitness centers from cancelling or changing benefits of a promised lifetime membership.

“This bill is about fairness, trust, and making sure that when a business offers a lifetime membership, it actually means lifetime membership — not one year, not until they decide to change the deal, but for the life of the customer,” said Belt (D-Swansea).  "We’re setting a fair and clear standard that responsible businesses are already following and that gym-goers deserve.”

SPRINGFIELD— State Senator Christopher Belt advanced a measure that would strengthen prevailing wage rules to help workers receive higher pay.

“This important safeguard will help workers get a fair deal for their labor,” said Belt (D-Swansea).  “We’re closing a loophole that left many workers getting the short end of the stick because that’s not what we’re about here in Illinois.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt advanced a measure that would eliminate the licensing requirements for hair braiders in Illinois.

“It is common sense to eliminate unnecessary licensing requirements for hair braiders,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Illinois is one of the few states that imposes these stiff requirements, and it’s time we get out of the way and allow individuals to practice their craft and earn a living without unnecessary barriers."

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt scored a win for Metro East manufacturing and labor with the passage of his bill to enhance career and technical education opportunities.

“If we want to bring back and build up manufacturing in the Metro East, we need to build the labor pool,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Career and technical education can help a young person create a stable career, leading to a stable family and ultimately a stable Metro East.”

Senate Bill 58 would expand a current program that is successful in other parts of the state to the Metro East. The program allows manufacturing companies to partner with local community colleges and high schools to set up technical training programs that would translate directly into a job. This creates a targeted labor pool that connects prospective workers with the manufacturers in their community.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt stood alongside his colleagues to highlight a measure that would simplify the college admissions process for high school seniors and community college transfer students at a press conference Thursday.

“High school seniors and community college transfer students already have enough on their plates,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “The last thing they need is a complicated college application process filled with extra fees, paperwork and delays.”

Senate Bill 2448 would grant automatic admission to qualified applicants at all public institutions of higher education and community colleges that participate in the direct admissions program. Under the legislation, students would no longer face the burden of repeated application processes or unnecessary application fees, ensuring a smoother transition into postsecondary education.

EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt is highlighting nearly $1 million in grant funding to the East Side Health District.

“Securing this funding for the East Side Health District is a proud moment in our continued effort to advance public health, clean energy and workforce development,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “The work we’ve done with the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act is just beginning, and with initiatives like these, we are ensuring that communities in the Metro East are not left behind.”

The East Side Health District received a significant boost in their mission to improve public health and the environment by advancing clean energy and workforce development, securing approximately $1 million to implement energy efficiency measures and expand solar energy initiatives across its six health clinics, serving Stites, Canteen, East St. Louis and Cahokia Heights—areas recognized as environmental justice communities. The Equitable Energy Future Grant Program is funded through the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, which Belt supported in 2021.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt advanced a measure to expand career and technical education programs to support regional manufacturing. 

“A lot of kids grow up thinking that college is the only option to be successful, and while a four-year degree is great, there are plenty of high-paying jobs in the manufacturing industry that young people may not know about,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “For many jobs, kids might become interested because of a parent or family member, and we want to open the door for other youth without similar experiences. Further, for kids who may already be interested in technical education, this bill would give them the experience they need to get a job right away.”