EAST ST. LOUIS – Two St. Clair County fire departments will receive more than $10,000 in combined funding to make up for lost donations during the pandemic, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) announced Friday.

“During the pandemic, fire departments didn’t shut down,” Belt said. “Firefighters continued to protect the people and communities around us, even during a time of uncertainty.”

A total of 36 fire departments across Illinois will receive over $315,000 through the Illinois Fire Prevention Fund to make up for lost donation revenues as local fundraising events were canceled during the pandemic. Funds raised pay for necessities like fuel for fire trucks, utilities and insurance.

Camp Jackson Fire Department will receive over $1,500 and Fairmont City Fire Department will receive over $8,500 to combat the donation loses during the pandemic.

“Volunteer fire departments rely on fundraisers to raise money to keep their doors open,” Belt said. “This funding will help them continue to recover so when residents are in danger, they are there to help.”

Visit the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal website for more information.

EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) is encouraging local businesses to apply for the second wave of Back to Business grants, which closes on Oct. 13.

“Throughout the pandemic, our small businesses have remained assets to the Metro East community, despite all the struggles they faced,” Belt said. “It’s important for us all to be gracious to those who showed up, and for those businesses to get the aid they deserve from our government.”

Read more: Belt encourages businesses in the Metro East to apply for B2B

EAST ST. LOUIS – To promote the Back to Business Grant Program, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) is inviting small business owners to participate in an informational webinar about eligibility and the application process.

Belt is partnering with Representatives LaToya Greenwood and Jay Hoffman, along with business leaders from Small Business Development Centers and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, to host a free webinar for small business owners who need assistance applying for the Back to Business grant program at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 6.

Read more: Belt to host free, informational Back to Business webinar

EAST ST.LOUIS – Six projects totaling nearly $90 million to improve safety while creating jobs are underway or starting soon in the Metro East, State Senators Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) and Rachelle Aud Crowe (D-Glen Carbon) announced Thursday.

“As a resident and representative of the Metro East, I applaud the steps Illinois continues to take to ensure our roads are safe,” Belt said. “This funding improves the area’s infrastructure while creating good jobs.”

The following projects are set to be completed this year, with the remainder to be completed in 2022:

• Interstate 70 resurfacing and bridge painting from Interstate 55/70 to east of Interstate 55/70/270 as well as I-55/70 from east of Illinois 159 to north of Interstate 270
• Poplar Street Bridge improvements, including pavement patching, concrete overlay, deck repairs and bridge joint replacements
• Illinois 111/3 resurfacing and patching from Alby Street to Broadway in Alton
• Illinois 3 resurfacing from north of Monsanto Avenue to south of Ruby Street in Cahokia
• I-270 at Illinois 111 interchange reconstruction
• Illinois 157 resurfacing from State Street in East St. Louis to Petroff Drive

“As our state progresses on the road to economic recovery, these local infrastructure investments come at a critical time for the Metro East,” Crowe said. “By updating local roads and bridges, we can ensure dependable modes of transportation for commuters and families while creating labor jobs for residents.”

Over the next six years, the Illinois Department of Transportation is planning to improve more than 3,535 miles of highway and 9 million square feet of bridge deck as part of the Rebuild Illinois program with investments of up to $33 billion.

When construction is underway, drivers should anticipate delays and may wish to seek alternate routes. Belt and Crowe encourage drivers to obey posted construction zone speed limits and watch out for workers on construction projects.

More information and maps on the impact of Rebuild Illinois can be found at idot.click/Rebuild-Illinois. A list of the ongoing and upcoming projects in the Metro East can be found on the Illinois Department of Transportation’s website.