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Belt supports governor’s proposal increasing education funding

Details
Category: Senator Christopher Belt News
Wednesday, February 02, 2022 01:30 PM
  • Belt
  • Education
  • Budget
  • Public Safety

 Senator Belt Feb 2022 Budget

 

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) released the following statement regarding the governor’s budget address Wednesday afternoon:

“I support Governor Pritzker’s increase in education funding for K-12 students, as well as increasing tuition assistance for higher education, which will allow more students to receive financial aid. As chair of the Senate Education Committee and a former school board member, I have seen how essential it is that we continue to put money into our education system. During my time in the General Assembly, we have seen education funding double allowing all students to flourish.

Read more: Belt supports governor’s proposal increasing education funding

New sheriff, 911 operator and transit control hub coming to St. Clair County thanks to support of Belt and Crowe

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Category: Senator Christopher Belt News
Wednesday, January 26, 2022 02:16 PM
  • Belt
  • Crowe
  • Rebuild Illinois

Senators Belt and Crowe

EAST ST.LOUIS – A new $9.9 million hub to house St. Clair County sheriff’s deputies, 911 dispatchers, the transit control center and more will soon be built in East St. Louis thanks to the support of State Senators Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) and Rachelle Aud Crowe (D-Glen Carbon).

“The bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program has positively impacted the state, and these local infrastructure investments come at a critical time to help downstate transportation,” said Belt. “Investing in the Metro East’s transportation is vital, as it will continue to create jobs, promote economic growth and keep residents safe when traveling.”

Read more: New sheriff, 911 operator and transit control hub coming to St. Clair County thanks to support of...

More than a dozen businesses in St. Clair County to receive financial assistance thanks to Belt

Details
Category: Senator Christopher Belt News
Tuesday, January 25, 2022 04:20 PM
  • Belt
  • DCEO
  • B2B Grant Program
  • St. Claire County

belt 01122021CM0440rEAST ST. LOUIS – Over a dozen local businesses in and around St. Clair County were awarded over $500,000 in funding from the Back to Business program to tackle pandemic-related losses, thanks to the support of State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea).

“Businesses across Illinois have been greatly impacted in a variety of ways by COVID-19, especially family-owned, small businesses,” Belt said. “This funding will give business owners a chance to mend from the major impacts the pandemic has brought to our community.”

The B2B program grants are awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity using funds allocated to them by the American Rescue Plan through last year’s state budget. So far – thanks to strong support from Belt – DCEO has provided $111 million in B2B grants to nearly 3,000 small businesses throughout the state with an emphasis on disproportionately impacted areas.

A total of $510,000 was awarded to 14 businesses to help them cover the costs of safely staying open in these unpredictable times. Businesses include hotels, restaurants, barbershops and more.

“The B2B program will help our local businesses get on a path toward normalcy,” Belt said. “My hope is that this funding will help alleviate the financial strain businesses have faced for nearly two years.” 

Grants will continue to be awarded on a rolling basis. Visit the DCEO website for more information on the B2B program and view a full list of grantees here.

Local college awarded pre-apprenticeship funding to diversify construction industry

Details
Category: Senator Christopher Belt News
Friday, January 14, 2022 04:18 PM
  • Belt
  • Southwestern Illinois College

so west ill college 011422EAST ST. LOUIS – To support construction pre-apprenticeship programs, Southwestern Illinois College will receive nearly $250,000, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) announced Friday.

“Women and people of color are often underrepresented in the construction industry,” Belt said. “This funding opens the door for many people in the Metro East who want to pursue a job in construction and creates a new light for these individuals to have a career in other trade jobs.”

Read more: Local college awarded pre-apprenticeship funding to diversify construction industry

New Belt law expedites professional licenses for military families

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Category: Senator Christopher Belt News
Thursday, January 13, 2022 04:17 PM
  • Belt
  • Professional Licenses
  • Military and Spouses

military spouse license 011322SPRINGFIELD – Service members and their spouses are receiving their professional licenses at a faster rate, thanks to a law championed by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea).

The new law makes transitions easier for people 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.

Read more: New Belt law expedites professional licenses for military families

East St. Louis to receive community funding, Belt announces

Details
Category: Senator Christopher Belt News
Tuesday, January 11, 2022 02:52 PM
  • Belt
  • Grants
  • Rebuild Distressed Communities Program

Senator Belt Jan22

 

EAST ST. LOUIS – To boost economic vitality, East St. Louis will receive nearly $1 million to improve the area while increasing economic opportunities for impacted businesses, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) announced Tuesday.

“Improving the economy by providing resources to communities that need it the most is essential,” Belt said. “Not only will this funding uplift the East St. Louis community, it will also prioritize the safety of residents.”

The final round of Rebuild Distressed Communities program provides $976,000 to 26 small businesses and $7.45 million to help revitalize seven commercial corridors located across the state, including $900,000 for East St. Louis.

Read more: East St. Louis to receive community funding, Belt announces

United States, Illinois, POW/MIA flags flown at all state parks under Belt law

Details
Category: Senator Christopher Belt News
Thursday, January 06, 2022 10:36 AM
  • Belt
  • IDNR
  • Illinois Flags
  • US Flags
  • POW/MIA Flags

il us pow flags 010622SPRINGFIELD – State parks are now required to fly the United States, Illinois and prisoner of war/missing in action flags under a new law spearheaded by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea).

“Walking in the park one day, I overheard a boy ask his grandfather what the three flags waving in the wind were for,” Belt said. “The grandfather pointed to the U.S. flag and said ‘That represents the best nation in the world.’ He continued to the Illinois flag and replied ‘This is for the best state in our country.’ Lastly, he pointed to the POW/MIA flag and said ‘The individuals this flag represents is why the U.S. and Illinois flags are flown today.’”

The new law requires Illinois Department of Natural Resources to fly a United States, Illinois and POW/MIA flag at all state parks within five years after it is signed into law. Additionally, the legislation allows for groups and individuals to donate resources to the department’s Special Projects Fund to cover any costs.

Read more: United States, Illinois, POW/MIA flags flown at all state parks under Belt law

Belt announces wastewater infrastructure funding

Details
Category: Senator Christopher Belt News
Tuesday, December 21, 2021 01:42 PM
  • Belt
  • Grants
  • Wastewater Systems

Sewer cover belt

 

EAST ST. LOUIS – Communities throughout the Metro East that without functional wastewater infrastructure are encouraged by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) to apply for grant funding to bring proper facilities to the area.

“Disadvantaged communities do not always have functional wastewater infrastructure,” Belt said. “This leaves homes and businesses at a higher risk of damage. Providing support for these improvements protects the infrastructure and lives in disadvantaged communities.”

A total of $1 million is available for grants through the Unsewered Communities Planning Grant Program, which assists small and disadvantaged communities in developing a project plan that identifies a solution to wastewater collection and treatment needs. The funding, available through the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency, provides an opportunity to develop a plan that will address problems associated with the collection and treatment of wastewater in an unsewered community. This can be used in an application for a project that would be funded by the Illinois Unsewered Communities Construction Grant Program.

Read more: Belt announces wastewater infrastructure funding

More Articles …

  1. Belt law removes standardized test requirement for university acceptance starting Jan. 1
  2. Belt encourages low-income families to apply for water and sewer help
  3. Belt: Last call to donate toys for children in need
  4. Belt announces $5 million investment for St. Louis Downtown Airport
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