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EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) is encouraging local businesses to apply for the second wave of Back to Business grants, which closes on Oct. 13.
“Throughout the pandemic, our small businesses have remained assets to the Metro East community, despite all the struggles they faced,” Belt said. “It’s important for us all to be gracious to those who showed up, and for those businesses to get the aid they deserve from our government.”
Read more: Belt encourages businesses in the Metro East to apply for B2B
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EAST ST. LOUIS – To promote the Back to Business Grant Program, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) is inviting small business owners to participate in an informational webinar about eligibility and the application process.
Belt is partnering with Representatives LaToya Greenwood and Jay Hoffman, along with business leaders from Small Business Development Centers and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, to host a free webinar for small business owners who need assistance applying for the Back to Business grant program at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 6.
“Small businesses have been one of the hardest hit industries during the pandemic. It is our duty to help businesses get back on their feet and continue successfully serving residents in our communities,” Belt said. “I encourage small businesses in need of funding to join us and find out if your business is eligible and how to apply.”
The $250 million Back to Business program offers eligible small businesses one-time grants of up to $150,000 to cover operation costs, staff payroll and other expenses. To qualify, a business must have made $20 million or less in revenue in 2019 and be able to demonstrate a reduction in revenue in 2020.
Participants will learn about eligibility, priority industries, disproportionately impacted areas and documentation requirements. Information regarding community navigators, which are able to assist businesses with the online application portal, will also be available.
Registration is required and can be found at SenatorBelt.com/B2B.
If business owners have questions about the event, Belt encourages them to contact his office at 618-875-1212 or visit SenatorBelt.com.
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SPRINGFIELD – After countless hours of negotiations, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) released the following statement in support of the comprehensive energy package that prioritizes jobs in the energy workforce:
“As we move toward making Illinois a national leader in the clean energy conversation, we are ensuring families who rely on energy-related jobs are protected. This landmark legislation prioritizes the hardworking people of Illinois’ energy industry.
Read more: Belt supports landmark energy package that prioritizes jobs
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EAST ST. LOUIS – After a busy legislative spring session, Illinoisans will benefit from a number of new laws championed by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea).
“This spring I was able to pass more than a dozen new laws, including water and sewer assistance to low-income residents, help for service members who wish to receive their professional licenses quicker, and a requirement for state parks to fly three flags that represent our freedom,” Belt said. “I look forward to seeing these newly signed laws create a long-term benefit for the residents of the 57th District and all Illinoisans.”
Read more: New Belt-sponsored laws benefit all Illinois residents
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SPRINGFIELD – Service members and their spouses will receive professional licenses faster in Illinois thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) that was signed into law Sunday.
The measure will make transitions easier for those whose jobs depend on having a professional license and whose living arrangements are often changed by a deployment or cross-country transfer. An airman's spouse who works as an optometrist, for instance, would have an easier time receiving their license to practice in Illinois after transferring to Scott Airforce Base under the plan.
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SPRINGFIELD – School districts will create a food sharing program for unused food that students can take home thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) that was signed into law today.
“All children need food to thrive, especially when they leave school,” Belt said. “This program builds upon the state’s breakfast and lunch program that is already in place to ensure that kids are fed three healthy meals a day.”
The new law requires all school districts to incorporate a food sharing plan for unused food into their local wellness policy. The program will focus on needy students, with the plan being developed and supported jointly by the district’s local health department.
Currently, every school in Illinois must offer its free lunch and breakfast program to all eligible students. To be eligible, a student must be the recipient of SNAP benefits or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families.
Similar programs already exist in states, such as Indiana. School districts partner with non-profits to take leftover food and prepare frozen take-home meals for students over the weekends.
“Leftover food should not be thrown away, especially when people are in need,” Belt said. “Many families struggle to keep food on the table and this program will help ensure that our youth are not going to bed hungry.”
The law takes effect immediately.
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SPRINGFIELD – Major Illinois airports will directly receive and spend federal funding thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) that was signed into law Friday.
The new law allows Illinois airports that have 10,000 or more patrons per year to directly receive and spend federal funding. Under the current law, federal funding goes to the Illinois Department of Transportation’s aeronautics division to distribute to airports across the state, with the exception of O’Hare and Midway International Airports in Chicago.
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SPRINGFIELD – Residents who struggle to pay water and sewer bills will have additional financial assistance coming, thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) that was signed into law today.
“Utility providers will now have the opportunity to opt in to a financial assistance program,” Belt said. “This will help lessen the financial burden that low-income customers face when they cannot afford their monthly utility bills.”
Read more: New Belt law provides financial assistance for utility bills
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