Centreville – With the State’s Rebuild Illinois program in full swing, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) announced a $1.5 million shovel-ready construction project in downtown East St. Louis on Thursday.

“I’m pleased that the State is prioritizing the revitalization of historic landmarks in our community, like the Broadview Hotel,” Belt said. “This project will create hundreds of jobs downtown and will provide new and affordable housing and development to a city in need of investment in local infrastructure.”

Part of the statewide construction program that will support new development across Illinois, the project is set to renovate the historic former Broadview Hotel in downtown East St. Louis, to create transit-oriented affordable housing and commercial development.

“This building has been a historic landmark in our community for nearly 100 years,” Belt said. “I look forward to seeing this building and the rest of downtowns’ renewal in the years to come.”

Now registered as a national historic place, the Broadview Hotel was completed nearly 100 years ago, in 1927. In its early years, the hotel was the city's largest and finest hotel, providing luxury rooms and amenities, and doubling as a regional and statewide convention and meeting venue.

The Broadview Hotel is also an excellent example of hotel design and construction in the St. Louis region in the 1920s. Designed and engineered by Arthur J. Widmer for Widmer Engineering Company, the building embodies modern urban hotel planning.

The project is being funded by Rebuild Illinois, the state’s 5-year statewide construction program. You can visit the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity's website for updates on this and future Rebuild Illinois projects.

BELLEVILLE – With Illinois’ vaccination efforts in full swing, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) was joined by Governor J.B. Pritzker Thursday to tour a Metro East mass vaccination site located in the Belle-Clair fairgrounds. 

“Eventually more than a thousand people who live in the Metro East will be able to roll up their sleeves for their vaccination shot, thanks to this site,” Belt said. “As more vaccines are brought into our state, this number will only grow, and I believe sites like these will be key to ending this public health crisis.”

EAST ST. LOUIS – As the 102^nd General Assembly begins, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) is honored to serve as the Senate Education Committee chair. 

"I am excited and honored to be selected as the Senate Education Committee chair for the 102nd General Assembly," Belt said. "As the chair, I will ensure that our youth are getting the tools and resources they need to succeed.”

SPRINGFIELD – In order to dismantle systemic inequality, combat discrimination in the workplace and promote growth in underserved communities, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) has sponsored legislation that seeks to eliminate barriers to economic access, equity and opportunity.

“Black Americans make up about one in nine workers, but they represent one in six front-line workers— they should have the same career opportunities as any other individual,” Belt said. “This legislation is part of a larger effort to level the playing field moving forward.”

In order to eliminate historical economic disparities, the Senate passed a series of bills that addresses the third pillar of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ anti-racism agenda—economic access, equity and opportunity—which is made up of nine parts: