SPRINGFIELD – Starting Jan. 1, students who wish to attend an Illinois public college or university will no longer be required to submit ACT and SAT scores when applying, thanks to a law championed by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea).

“Standardized test scores do not showcase a student’s ability,” Belt said. “Students struggle each year to do well on ACT and SAT tests. Removing this requirement will help test-anxious students get into college.”

EAST ST. LOUIS – Low-income families can now apply for help with their bills to avoid water and sewer shut off, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) announced Wednesday.

“Many families are forced to spend a large percent of their monthly income on utility services,” Belt said. “This funding provides stability for low-income customers who need assistance paying their monthly utility bills.”

The Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program provides $42 million to help people avoid shut offs, assist households that have already had their services shut off or provide assistance to residents unable to pay their water and sewer bills.

EAST ST. LOUIS – To give children in need a holiday surprise, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) and Representative LaToya Greenwood (D-East St. Louis) are reminding residents to donate toys this holiday season.

“There are only a few days left to donate toys for our holiday drive,” Belt said. “Please consider dropping off toys to help struggling families this holiday season. It’s important to give back to those in our community who need it the most.”

The toys will be collected through Dec. 10. Toys for children of all ages can be dropped off at Belt’s office, located at Kenneth Hall Regional Office Building #10 Collinsville Ave., Suite 201A in East St. Louis. Residents can drop off toys Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Call for Help, Inc., a local organization which will receive the donated toys, works to change lives by giving people skills and support that empower them to overcome emotional and physical crisis. The organization serves the Greater Metro East and surrounding areas to end homelessness, poverty and violence.

If residents have questions about the toy drive, Belt urges them to contact his office at 618-875-1212 or Greenwood’s office at 618-646-9557.

EAST ST. LOUIS – St. Louis Downtown Airport will receive $5 million in funding to benefit aircraft maintenance providers and support more than 450 high-tech aerospace manufacturing jobs at the airport, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) announced Thursday.

“St. Louis Downtown Airport is a vital economic engine in the Metro East,” Belt said. “I will continue working with Representative Latoya Greenwood to bring our tax money home from Springfield in order to maintain and create jobs in our area.” 

St. Louis Downtown Airport is the third busiest airport in the State of Illinois and was recognized by the Illinois Department Division of Aeronautics as the 2021 Reliever Airport of the Year. 

The funding will provide a Ground Engine Run-Up project, which is a critical improvement that will benefit four aircraft maintenance providers operating at St. Louis Downtown Airport. This project will support more than 450 high-tech aerospace manufacturing jobs by improving production safety, reliability and efficiency, improving airport businesses and increasing global competitiveness for Southwestern Illinois and the state of Illinois.

The project has been in the works for several years. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2022.

“This Engine Run-Up facility will provide new opportunities to expand aerospace manufacturing opportunities at St. Louis Downtown Airport, resulting in job growth and private sector investment at this site,” said Taulby Roach, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bi-State Development. “We greatly appreciate the support of Senator Belt and Representative Greenwood in advocating for this funding and are confident that it will enable us to continue to grow the annual economic impact of our Airport.”

A full list of recipients can be found here.

EAST ST. LOUIS – This holiday season, Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) and Representative LaToya Greenwood (D-East St. Louis) are collecting toys to give children in need a special holiday surprise.

The toys will be collected now through Dec. 10. Toys for children of all ages can be dropped off at Belt’s office, located at Kenneth Hall Regional Office Building #10 Collinsville Ave., Suite 201A in East St. Louis. Residents can drop off toys Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“The holiday season is a time we buy gifts for our loved ones,” Belt said. “Many families in our communities struggle financially during the holidays. I encourage residents to donate new or gently used toys so a child in need can enjoy a gift this season.”

Call for Help, Inc., a local organization which will receive the donated toys, works to change lives by giving people skills and support that empower them to overcome emotional and physical crisis. The organization serves the Greater Metro East and surrounding areas to end homelessness, poverty and violence.

If residents have questions about the toy drive, Belt urges them to contact his office at 618-875-1212 or Greenwood’s office at 618-646-9557.

EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) encourages people to help lift up veterans across the state by asking service organizations, volunteers, and others to write friendly letters to veterans’ home residents ahead of Veterans Day.

“The district I represent is home to a large population of veterans, each of them being valued members of the community,” Belt said. “Some have lost their lives, and some continue to endure the impacts of their service, and we must honor, recognize, and show appreciation to all of them.”

SPRINGFIELD – School district, community college and public university employees who are required to isolate or quarantine due to contracting or being exposed to COVID-19 may be given as many administrative leave days as necessary thanks to a measure sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) that passed the Senate Wednesday.

“Teachers have faced so many challenges since the pandemic began,” Belt said. “From remote learning to hybrid learning, teachers continue to make sacrifices for their students. They shouldn’t have to worry about using their personal time when they need to take time off due to COVID-19.”

EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) congratulated local businesses struggling from the pandemic that were awarded grants from the latest round of the Back to Business program awards.

The B2B program allocated $250 million in American Rescue Plan dollars for small businesses negatively affected by the pandemic. Grants ranged from $5,000 to $150,000 per business and can be used to cover a wide range of operations such as staff and overhead costs.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our communities and have been hard hit during the pandemic,” Belt said. “As the holiday season approaches, I encourage residents to shop local and support businesses that continue to recover.”

Five businesses in the district Belt represents have already received $160,000 in grants:

• Fairbridge Inn, $20,000
• Motel 6, $40,000
• Indian Mound Motel, $10,000
• Denese’s Place, $10,000
• New York Cleaners, Inc., $80,000

For a full list of businesses that have received Back to Business grants, visit the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity awards list at illinois.gov/B2BAwards.