Belt supports legislation to give property tax relief for seniors

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt backed a property tax relief package that increases property tax exemption thresholds for senior citizens in Illinois.

“When this piece of legislation came across my desk, it was a no-brainer,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Many seniors in the Metro East have lived in their homes for decades ─ let’s ensure they are not priced out of the homes they have invested their lives into.”

Senate Bill 642 would deliver critical updates to help seniors on fixed incomes and help families facing economic challenges manage rising property tax costs. Under the measure, the maximum income limit for the Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption would increase substantially over the next several years, beginning at $75,000 for taxable year 2026, increasing to $77,000 for taxable year 2027 and settling at $79,000 for taxable year 2028 and beyond.

Read more: Belt supports legislation to give property tax relief for seniors

Belt, Hoffman partner to host canned food drive

SWANSEA — To kick off the giving season, State Senator Christopher Belt and State Representative Jay Hoffman are collecting canned goods ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

“Let’s come together to address the pressing need for food in our community,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Every little bit helps. Giving back is a small way we can all make a big difference in our community.”

Residents are encouraged to drop off cans of green beans, gravy and cranberry sauce, and boxes of stuffing and cornbread now through Nov. 18.

Drop off locations include:

• Senator Belt’s East St. Louis office: Kenneth Hall Regional Office Bldg., 10 Collinsville Ave., Suite 201A, East St. Louis
• Senator Belt’s Swansea office: 7 Park Pl., Suite C, Swansea
• Representative Hoffman’s Belleville office: 2300 W. Main St., Belleville
• Birth to Five Illinois: 1000 S. Illinois St., Belleville
• Downtown Belleville YMCA - Kern Center: 200 S. Illinois St., Belleville

For more information, contact Belt’s Swansea office at 618-416-2452 or Belt’s East St. Louis office at 618-875-1212.

Belt celebrates groundbreaking on new grocery store in Venice

VENICE – State Senator Christopher Belt joined leaders from across the Metro East region to break ground on a new grocery store in Venice as part of the Illinois Grocery Initiative — marking an important milestone in expanding access to fresh, affordable food for local residents. The groundbreaking represents a critical joint effort to revitalize the city, which was made possible through a $2.4 million state grant and private funding.

“We have had some great days here in Venice, first for our bill signing, then to award this grant, and now we are here to put a shovel in the ground,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “I don’t have a crystal ball, but I think we’ll be here again when the grocery store is completed to celebrate what we have accomplished.”

In 2023, Belt championed legislation aiming to eliminate the number of food deserts in Illinois’ communities — leading to the creation of the Illinois Grocery Initiative and the current construction of a new grocery store in Venice.

The Illinois Grocery Initiative is a multipronged policy designed to mitigate and eliminate food deserts across Illinois. The initiative consists of two key grant programs — the New Stores in Food Deserts Program and the Equipment Upgrades Grant Program. To date, DCEO has awarded a total of $18.1 million statewide, which includes $16.5 million for new grocery stores and $1.6 million for equipment upgrades. The Illinois Grocery Initiative has awarded grants to locations in Champaign, Chicago, Carlinville, Marion, Peoria, Roodhouse and Rockford.

Read more: Belt celebrates groundbreaking on new grocery store in Venice

Belt: For those who have earned it, a second chance is possible

SPRINGFIELD – Marking a significant step forward in criminal justice reform, State Senator Christopher Belt supported a transformative approach to providing second chances while maintaining critical public safety protections.

"The Clean Slate Act gives hope to those looking to start over and do better," said Belt (D-Swansea). "It is important to note that this bill only includes offenses that are currently sealable, we are simply making this process automatic."

House Bill 1836 – also known as the Clean Slate Act – would automate the sealing of criminal records that are already eligible under current law, removing the need for individuals to navigate a complex petition process. Non-conviction records would be automatically sealed, but serious crimes like murder, sex offenses, human trafficking, Class X felonies, violent crimes, DUI and domestic battery are excluded from automatic sealing. The bill would take effect June 1, 2026.

Read more: Belt: For those who have earned it, a second chance is possible