EAST ST. LOUIS – As high-speed internet becomes more and more of a necessity for households and businesses, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) and Governor JB Pritzker announce a broadband expansion grant that will give approximately 177 households in the Metro-East access to high-speed internet. 

The funds come from Connect Illinois, Gov. Pritzker’s plan to provide basic internet access to every community in Illinois by 2024. 

“Now more than ever, we can clearly see how much high-speed internet is required. There are students across Illinois who struggled to participate in e-learning because they didn’t have adequate access to high-speed internet,” said Belt. “Going forward, we need to make sure we are ready for any type of catastrophe – as well as everyday life, and that starts by being connected.”

State-wide, $50 million in total investments will be matched by $65 million in non-state funds to support 28 projects across Illinois. The projects should expand internet access to more than 26,000 homes, businesses, farms, and community institutions.

“Connect Illinois is about the right of all our communities to access health care, education, and economic opportunity – because in the 21st century, all those rights are tied to digital connectivity,” Pritzker said. “The unacceptable consequences of disparities in broadband access were clear before the COVID-19 pandemic – and over the last few months, we’ve seen first-hand what it means when a small business that had to close its doors has no online shop, what it means when an elderly couple has no safe way to get medical advice at a distance, what it means when a child has no ability to access homework assignments online. This work has never been more urgent – the disadvantages that persist when our communities are left out of opportunity demand ambitious efforts to bring them to a close.”

The state’s largest-ever broadband expansion initiative, Connect Illinois, includes a $400 million broadband grant program and a $20 million capital program for the Illinois Century Network, a high-speed broadband network serving K-12 and higher education institutions, among others.

Another round of Connect Illinois grants is expected to be released later this year. More information on these and other grant programs can be found on DCEO’s website.

EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) promoted guidelines for students to return to school this fall, as numbers of COVID-19 cases continue to gradually decrease. 

“Our students and teachers have done an amazing job adapting to e-learning during this health crisis,” Belt said. “Now that they have opportunity to return this fall, parents and teachers have an important role of carefully transitioning our students back into a productive and safe environment.”

The Illinois State Board of Education and Illinois Department of Public Health outlined guidelines for K-12 schools and higher education institutions to safely resume in-person learning this fall, while ensuring the health and safety of students and staff is prioritized. The groups worked with educators, superintendents, social workers, nurses and other stakeholders to create the 60-page guidance. 

The guidelines for Phase 4 will, among other things:

• Require use of appropriate personal protective equipment, including face coverings;
• Prohibit more than 50 individuals from gathering in one space;
• Require social distancing be observed, as much as possible;
• Require schools conduct symptom screenings and temperature checks or require that individuals self-certify that they are free of symptoms before entering school buildings; and
• Require an increase in school-wide cleaning and disinfection.

All public and nonpublic schools in Illinois serving K-12 students must follow these guidelines. 

SPRINGFIELD –State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) has been appointed to the Restore Illinois Collaborative Commission, which is charged with overseeing the effort to reopen and rebuild Illinois’ economy as the state recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

“Reopening our state safely and efficiently is my biggest concern,” Belt said. “I am honored to be part of this commission and work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure we follow the best plan to fully recover from the pandemic and renew economic stability.”

The Restore Illinois Collaborative Commission will enable cooperation between the legislative and executive branches in dealing with the public health and economic crises caused by COVID-19. The commission will work closely with the Dept. of Commerce and Economic Opportunity on plans to revive the various sectors of the Illinois economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The commission is made up of 14 members drawn from both political parties and both chambers of the General Assembly. Members of the commission will serve without compensation.

DCEO will provide a written report to the commission and the General Assembly every month regarding the status of current and proposed recovery efforts, with metrics and other information to demonstrate the state’s progress. The first report will be delivered July 1.

The Restore Illinois Collaborative Commission was created by Senate Bill 2135.

EAST ST. LOUIS – To help schools overcome obstacles caused by COVID-19, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) supported a new package of legislation containing numerous measures to provide teachers and students with the tools they need to adapt during the current health crisis.

“Students have been deprived of many milestones, like proms and graduations, and remote learning hasn’t been an easy transition for kids or teachers,” Belt said. “This education package is an effort to provide schools with the resources they need to get through this difficult period.”

The education package contains a number of measures to help students and teachers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including a one-year extension for educator license renewals, so teachers don’t have to go through the renewal process while working remotely. 

The legislation also allows mandatory tests to be taken remotely to enable students to take college readiness exams without risking their health. 

Certain provisions relate to higher education during the pandemic. Under the new law, any grade of “pass,” “credit” or “satisfactory” during the public health emergency is transferable and will fulfill prerequisite requirements for more advanced college courses. 

It also modifies income requirements for the state's AIM HIGH education grant program, saying a student’s income when they enter the program will remain their income for the duration of their inclusion in the program.

Senate Bill 1569 was signed into law Thursday.  

EAST ST. LOUIS – As the country faces a critical shortage of blood donations, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) asks African Americans to donate blood to aid patients with sickle cell disease.

“Donating blood could save someone’s life, which is why I am using my platform to bring awareness to this donation shortage,” Belt said. “African Americans are primarily affected by sickle cell disease, so it is of utmost importance that African Americans donate blood that can be used by sickle cell patients for transfusions.”

African American blood donors play an important role in the treatment of sickle cell disease. Patients with the disease depend on transfusions from donors with closely matched blood—beyond just blood type—to reduce the risk of complications.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the American Red Cross says donations by African Americans have dropped by more than half. As sickle cell patients are at high risk of severe complications from COVID-19 infection, donations are especially important at this time.

The Red Cross assures donors that each donation center must follow the highest standards of safety and infection control. Additional precautions, including social distancing and face coverings for donors and staff, have been implemented to ensure the health of everyone in attendance.

Many blood centers throughout the state have extended their operating hours to meet the critical need for donations.

To make an appointment to donate blood with the Red Cross, residents can visit www.RedCrossBlood.org or call 800-733-2767.

EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) released the following statement after Gov. JB Pritzker signed a budget that supports the most vulnerable populations and helps people impacted by COVID-19:

“We are well aware that Illinois’ financial recovery will not happen overnight, but with the signing of this budget, we made sure the most disadvantaged communities hit by COVID-19 receive the help they deserve. Seniors will receive additional funding for the Senior Meals Program and the Community Care Program, which allows seniors to stay within the confinements of their home instead of moving to assisted living facilities. 

“Additionally, more than $200 million is set aside to help businesses effected by COVID-19 in downstate communities. Also, people who have been laid off will receive more help from the Department of Employment Security to help address the challenges with the unemployment system. This is a great first step toward our state’s financial recovery.”

EAST ST. LOUIS - In order to continue to make students and teachers educational experience from home easier, State Senator Christopher Belt, supported an education package to help with the obstacles many are facing during the public health crisis.

“Many students who have been forced to give up their regular school session have experienced a greater disadvantage when it comes to remote learning due to a lack of resources. Some do not have access to technology to get on daily zooms, which leads to students having difficult time staying connected. “Belt said. “It’s important educators and students are equipped with the right tools to ensure this current reality runs smoothly.”

The education package does a number of things to help students and teachers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes extending educator license renewals for one year, so teachers don’t have to go through the renewal process while working remotely. It also allows for mandatory tests to be taken remotely, so students don’t have to risk getting sick in order to take an exam they need to apply for college.

Additionally, relating to higher education, any grade of “pass,” “credit,” or “satisfactory” during the public health emergency is transferable and will fulfill prerequisite requirements for more advanced courses.

Senate Bill 1569 also modifies income requirements for the state's AIM HIGH education grant program, states a student’s income when they enter the program will remain their income for the duration of their inclusion in the program.

Senate Bill 1569 passed the Senate and must receive final approval from the governor.

EAST ST. LOUIS - To increase the testing capacity for downstate residents, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) announced a new COVID-19 testing facility will open in East St. Louis at Jackie Joyner Kersee Center on Wednesday, May 6 with drive-thru and walk-up services.

“It’s vital that every community has direct access to a testing facility to help treat, isolate or hospitalize people who are infected,” said Belt. “I am happy that East St. Louis residents and the rest of the Metro East are receiving easier access to testing to ensure a strong recovery of the downstate communities.”