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.”

EAST 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.

EAST 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.”

SPRINGFIELD – 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.

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.

SPRINGFIELD – 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.

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.

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.”