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.

Read more: East St. Louis to receive community funding, Belt announces

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.’”

Read more: United States, Illinois, POW/MIA flags flown at all state parks under Belt law

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.

Read more: Belt announces wastewater infrastructure funding

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.”

The new law, led by Belt and Representative LaToya Greenwood (D-East St. Louis), creates the Higher Education Fair Admissions Act, which prohibits Illinois’ public universities from relying solely on a student’s ACT or SAT score to make an admissions decision.

Currently, a quarter of the country’s public universities do not require standardized tests scores for admittance. Notably, the University of Chicago recently saw record enrollment of first-generation, low-income and rural students after lifting its standardized test requirement.

Admission counselors have been looking more closely at the benefits from adopting test-optional strategies. Other submissions from students, including essays, activities and academic records, bring larger and more diverse applicants to colleges and universities.

“The ACT and SAT create a barrier for underprivileged and disadvantaged students,” Belt said. “When qualified applicants are denied admittance because of a test score, high-caliber students are left out. It’s essential that we continue to protect students and give them every available opportunity to support their future.”

Starting Jan. 1, incoming college students will not be required to submit standardized test scores under Public Act 102-0054.