SPRINGFIELD – A new law led by State Senator Christopher Belt will identify and correct inequities some individuals face when seeking loans, mortgages or other financial services.

“Unfair lending practices undermine the financial stability of our communities,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “This new law is the first step toward enacting stronger protections to ensure every borrower is treated with fairness and respect.”

The new law builds off previous legislation that incentives state-regulated financial institutions to meet the financial service needs of areas where there is a lack of access to affordable banking, credit for small businesses, reasonable interest rates, mortgages and other lending services.

EAST ST. LOUIS – As part of the historic $45 billion Rebuild Illinois Capital program backed by State Senator Christopher Belt, the Metro East area saw two major investments come to life– a new public safety center in Emerson Park Transit Center in East St. Louis and the new Southwestern Illinois College Manufacturing Training Apprenticeship Building in Belleville.

“These are the types of investments that will truly make a difference in our region,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “With the Rebuild Illinois program, we are able to make facilities like this become a reality.”

The 16,000-square-foot public safety center includes a 911 Emergency Dispatch Center, office space for St. Clair County MetroLink Sheriff’s Deputies and public restrooms. The $15 million project expands on efforts to address safety through early intervention with Chestnut Health Systems launching a program in partnership with the St. Clair County Transit District to help address mental health needs. Care teams already have been deployed to assist riders with mental health and housing needs, as well as providing recommendations for food and other assistance.

EAST ST. LOUIS – With the support of State Senator Christopher Belt, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources will provide nearly $2.6 million to the City of East St. Louis to buy out 39 properties that have experienced repeated flooding and flood damage.

“Flooding has been a persistent and devastating issue for many families in East St. Louis,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “The support of IDNR will provide a lifeline for residents who have faced repeated losses and help ensure their safety and well-being moving forward. I commend IDNR for recognizing the urgent need for this intervention and allocating the necessary resources to address it.”

The funding — through IDNR’s Flood Hazard Mitigation Program — will be used to reimburse the city for approved costs associated with acquiring homes on 39 lots, plus one vacant lot. This project includes up to $22,500 in additional funds to assist homeowners who resided in the flooded structures in purchasing a home.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt moved a bill out of the Senate Thursday that would provide better financial protections for small businesses in the state.

“There are small businesses around the state, especially in my community, that have faced challenges in accessing fair and transparent financing options that have allowed them to fall victim to predatory lending,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “These businesses are the backbone of our communities and they should be uplifted, not burdened with financial hardship and business failure.”

Senate Bill 2234 would create the Small Business Financing Transparency Act, which would provide protections for small businesses when taking out a loan by requiring key financial terms such as the amount financed, fees and the annual percentage rate be clearly disclosed at the time an online or non-bank provider makes an offer for a loan.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt advanced a measure out of the Senate that aims to identify and correct inequities some individuals face when seeking loans, mortgages or other financial services.

“We should be welcoming and encouraging residents to take the steps needed to buy a home or own a small business, not deter them through unfair lending practices,” said Belt (D-Swansea).  “This legislation will help combat those issues and empower individuals with the financial tools and resources necessary to thrive.”

Senate Bill 3235 builds off previous legislation that incentivizes state-regulated financial institutions to meet the financial service needs of areas where there is a lack of access to affordable banking, credit for small businesses, reasonable interest rates, mortgages and other lending services.

 EAST ST. LOUIS – To address the nursing shortage rural communities are currently facing, State Senator Christopher Belt helped secure $150,000 in funding for nursing student scholarships at McKendree University.

“In order to end the nursing shortage in smaller communities, we need to hone in on incentives and other investments that shine light on this career path,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Nurses are essential in our hospitals, and we cannot afford to continue seeing declining numbers of them.”

The Illinois Board of Higher Education awarded a total of $150,000 through a nursing school grant to McKendree University. The grant was awarded through a competitive application process where institutions submitted enrollment, retention, completion and job placement rates of their students during a multi-year period and how grant funds would be used to enhance their program’s efforts to close equity gaps and improve student success.

Nursing school grants will be used to enhance nursing programs and efforts to close equity gaps in enrollment, course completion, graduation and licensure by underrepresented students. Funds may be used for hiring additional nursing faculty and staff, developing and expanding instructional programs and modalities, expanding academic support services, improving classroom and lab spaces, purchasing equipment and instructional materials and more.

“Investing in our health care workforce not only strengthens our local hospitals and other health care systems, but it also ensures that people have immediate access to quality care,” said Belt. “I’m pleased IBHE provided funds to McKendree’s nursing program so we can continue to grow quality, trained nurses down here in the Metro East.”

To see a full list of nursing school grant awardees across the state, click here.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt advanced a measure out of the Senate Executive Committee Wednesday that aims to identify and correct inequities some individuals face when seeking loans, mortgages or other financial services.

“Access to fair lending services, reasonable banking and other financial assistance is fundamental to economic development and stability,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “However, there are many communities across the state that face systemic barriers and disparities that hinder their ability to fully participate in the economy such as running a successful business or owning a home.”

SPRINGFIELD – Beginning Jan. 1, a new law from State Senator Christopher Belt will put an end to traffic stops from law enforcement that solely involve minor windshield obstructions.

“This measure is not about hindering officers but about creating an understanding between law enforcement and drivers about what a legitimate reason is to be pulled over,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “With this new law, we are sending a powerful message that the state does not tolerate racial profiling or other forms of discrimination.”

Starting Jan. 1, law enforcement officers cannot stop or search a vehicle because of a small item between the driver and the windshield such as decorations, disability placards, GPS systems and air fresheners. With concerns that traffic enforcement practices such as this disproportionately affect certain communities, this new law will prevent officers from using a minor windshield obstruction as a pretext to pulling drivers over but adds that the item cannot materially obstruct the driver’s view.