CENTREVILLE – To increase the success of our youth, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) is urging schools to submit an application to receive the Early Childhood Block Grant from the Illinois State Board of Education.

“Schools need to close their student’s achievement gap sooner than later and that starts with increasing the investment in our kids at a young age,” Belt said. “We are trying to improve access to quality early childhood programs and early childhood investors need to take advantage of this opportunity.”

Last year’s $543.7 million appropriation for early childhood was the largest in Illinois history.

Eligible applicants for the Early Childhood Block Grant include public school districts, university laboratory schools approved by Illinois State Board of Education, charter schools, area vocational centers, and public or private not-for-profit or for-profit entities with experience in providing educational, health, social, or child development services to young children and their families.

For more information visit www.isbe.net/ecbg. Applications are due to the Illinois State Board of Education no later than 4 p.m. on March 23.

CENTREVILLE — A measure that gives students time off to vote during school hours was signed into law Wednesday with the support of State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville).

“Every vote counts, which is why it is critical to make voting more accessible for students,” Belt said. “I hope this encourages our young people to vote and show them that their vote is just as important as the workers who receive time off to go to the ballot box.”

Senate Bill 1970 amends the Election Code to allow students who are 18 or older to leave school for up to two hours to vote in a primary, general or any other election in the state that requires a popular vote.

The measure allows schools to decide which hour students can be absent to vote. Schools must follow the same rules set for employers and employees. .

The new law will take effect Jan. 1, 2021.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) sponsored an initiative that lead to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation hiring its first military liaison to help military families through the licensure process.

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation created a military liaison position to help service members and their spouses navigate the licensure process. The military liaison will enhance communication and improve the overall application process for service members and spouses when they choose to work in Illinois. If military families provide all the necessary documents in their license applications, IDFPR can expedite their licensure within 60 days.

SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) will serve on the Illinois Commission on Equitable Early Childhood Education and Care Funding to improve access to quality early childhood programs for all Illinois families.

“If we expect our children to have successful careers, we need to continue to invest in early childhood education,” Belt said. “This starts with making sure students have an intellectual skill set before entering kindergarten and ensuring the most disadvantaged children have the opportunity to succeed alongside their more advantaged classmates.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) released the following statement on Touchette Regional Hospital receiving a $2 million grant from the State of Illinois:

“Touchette provides life-saving care to thousands of residents of Centreville and neighboring communities,” Belt said. “This grant will ensure that this vital institution has the resources needed to continue to deliver services to those who need it the most.”

Belt advocated for the grant to be included in the bipartisan budget package that was signed by Governor Pritzker earlier this summer. The grant was administered to hospitals across the state that are identified as “safety net hospitals.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt’s legislation that will increase minority representation on corporate boards was signed into law today.

Under the legislation, all publicly held corporations whose principal executive offices are located in Illinois will be required to submit information with their annual report regarding the gender and racial/ethnic make-up of their board of directors. 

The University of Illinois would then conduct a study to make recommendations on how to improve minority and female representation.

“With this new law, we will be able to pinpoint the corporations who aren’t diversifying,” said Belt (D-Centreville). “Illinois is a very diverse state, and boards should reflect the diversity of its employees, consumers and community.”

SPRINGFIELD – Legislation sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) that will allow impoverished school districts to issue more bonds to receive additional revenue was recently signed into law.

To calculate their ability to issue bonds, a school district factors in 85 percent of the Equalized Assessed Valuation (EAV) plus the district’s Corporate Personal Property Replacement Tax. Belt’s proposal would count state aid as part of the baseline on which a district can base that 85 percent EAV calculation.

“With this legislation becoming effective, neglected school districts will now have the ability to improve their student’s future,” Belt said. “Making the accommodation of factoring state aid into the formula will help these school districts flourish and provide a better path to closing their achievement gaps.”

Senate Bill 1746 takes effect on Jan. 1, 2020.

SPRINGFIELD – To help inmates transition out of prison, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) sponsored legislation to require the Department of Corrections (DOC) to screen inmates for Medicaid eligibility before being released, which was recently signed into law.

At this time, the Unified Code of Corrections requires the Department of Corrections (DOC) to give inmates the opportunity to apply for Medicaid at least 45 days before they are discharged and requires DOC to assist them in filling out their application.

“Assisting inmates with Medicaid screening will help reduce the chronic disease rate, which is a major cause of death and disability in Illinois,” Belt said. “We are trying to help inmates from recidivating and one of the best ways to do that is do ensure medical treatment is available upon discharge. This is of utmost importance as it will give them the chance to maintain their health when reintegrated into society.”