Belt-backed law to provide harm reduction substance abuse education in public schools

SPRINGFIELD – Harm reduction drug education will now be available to public K-12 students in Illinois thanks to a new law supported by State Senator Christopher Belt.

“It is important to acknowledge that current substance abuse education isn’t reflective of Black and Brown communities,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “This law will place emphasis on cultural competency and harm reduction, making substance abuse prevention achievable for all populations — regardless of students’ races or backgrounds.” 

The new law will introduce research-informed, culturally and age appropriate, prevention-centric guidelines for drug education programs in Illinois public K-12 education.

Current drug education recommendations and programs, like "D.A.R.E", focus on refusal skills rather than harm reduction. Refusal skills are still necessary; however, students, parents and staff are not equipped with the full continuum of primary prevention and intervention strategies. Harm reduction incorporates a spectrum of strategies that include safer use, managed use, abstinence, meeting people who use drugs “where they’re at” and addressing conditions of use along with the use itself.

“This does not attempt to minimize or ignore the harm and danger associated with illicit drug use,” said Belt. “More so, we are recognizing concerns such as poverty, race, discrimination and inequity as individual vulnerabilities that affect the ways students deal with drug-related harm.”

Senate Bill 2223 was signed on Friday and goes into effect immediately.

Belt initiative to streamline employment process for out-of-state officers signed into law

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt championed a new law to help recruit qualified law enforcement and county corrections officers to work in Illinois

“It only makes sense to simplify the process of training requirements for qualified and experienced officers who are coming to serve our state,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “We are streamlining the application process for these officers so they can begin their new positions in Illinois in a timely manner.”

The new law will require the Illinois Law Enforcement Training and Standards Board to create an employment waiver process for a person previously employed and qualified as a law enforcement or county corrections officer under federal law or the laws of any other state.

Previously, all law enforcement and county corrections officers in Illinois were required to meet specific training standards set by LETSB before they could be employed in the state.

“The last thing we want is to deter people away from law enforcement employment opportunities in Illinois,” said Belt. “This new law will save the state both time and resources, while ensuring we recruit experienced and qualified officers.”

Senate Bill 1754 was signed Friday and takes effect Jan. 1, 2024.

Belt law to bring climate and clean energy investments to disadvantaged communities

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt championed a new law that will establish the Justice40 Oversight Committee to bring forth federal climate and clean energy investments to disadvantaged communities.

“Representing a district with various disadvantaged communities, this initiative has the potential to enhance these affected areas,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “By creating this committee, residents can be assured that Illinois is taking action and prioritizing investments in climate and clean energy in our most vulnerable communities.”

The federal government created the Justice40 initiative to confront and address decades of underinvestment in disadvantaged communities. The initiative is to deliver at least 40% of the overall benefits from federal investments in climate change and clean energy to disadvantaged communities.

The new law will create the Justice40 Oversight Committee to advance this federal initiative in the state. The committee will be responsible for compiling findings, conclusions and recommendations regarding environmental justice and uses of federal funds for climate change and clean energy purposes.

“This shows that Illinois is ahead of the game when it comes to transitioning to a clean energy economy,” said Belt. “It further ensures the most vulnerable communities are not left behind while doing so.”

House Bill 2487 was signed on Friday and goes into effect immediately.

Belt encourages local agencies to apply for OSLAD grant

EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt is urging agencies across the 57^th District to apply for Open Space Land Acquisition and Development grants.

“Visiting local parks is one of the best ways to get out to explore nature and spend time outdoors,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “It is important that our parks stay accessible to all but at times, park development projects can be costly. I encourage local agencies to apply for OSLAD funding so parks in the Metro East can remain well-maintained and welcoming to all.”

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources will be accepting applications for Open Space Land Acquisition and Development, or OSLAD, grants through Aug. 31.

The program offers state-financed funding assistance to local governmental agencies for acquisition and/or development of land for public parks and outdoor recreation areas. A total of $56 million is available for this round of OSLAD grants. In addition, IDNR will once again provide funding to cover 100% of eligible projects located in economically distressed communities.

Applications are being accepted through Aug. 31 and should be submitted to IDNR. For more information on the OSLAD program, visit IDNR’s website.