Press Releases

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt introduced new legislation that would require service providing companies to give consumers a one hour notice when they will arrive at your residence.

“I don’t know about you, but I’m pretty fed up with companies giving me a five hour timeframe to show up at the house,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “As private equity continues to buy up family businesses across the country, we need safeguards in place to protect our residents from these giant corporations that give us no other option.”

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt advanced a measure that would allow volunteer fire departments to apply for and receive state grants through the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal.

“We have several volunteer fire departments in the Metro East that would be able to take advantage of new funding,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Right now, only city-run fire departments have access to state grants for equipment and building upgrades, this will change that.”

Senate Bill 2645 would allow the OSFM to create and award new rehabilitation and construction grants for volunteer fire departments and fire protection districts across Illinois. Currently, OSFM operates the Fire Station Construction and Rehabilitation Grant Program, which helps repair, upgrade or construct new fire stations by a unit of local government.

However, of the 40 fire departments and fire protection districts in St. Clair County, majority are volunteer departments and do not qualify for the program. Belt’s bill seeks to change this by empowering volunteer departments with new grant opportunities, potentially addressing their infrastructure and equipment needs.

Senate Bill 2645 passed the Senate Local Government Committee on Wednesday.

EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt helped secure a $990,000 state grant through the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program for R3 Development in East St. Louis and Southwestern Illinois College in Belleville.

“We want to make sure that people in our community have real access to the construction trades and the good-paying jobs that come with them,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “The Illinois Works Program opens doors for local residents to gain the skills they need to have a successful future.”

EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt is highlighting the announced $24 million in funding to expand Manufacturing Training Academies at community colleges and strengthen workforce training opportunities for high-demand manufacturing careers.

“Giving young people access to skills that translate directly into a job is exactly what we need to be focusing on in 2026,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Southwestern Illinois College is already proving how community colleges can connect students to good-paying manufacturing careers, and this expansion will help more students gain the skills employers need right here at home.”