SPRINGFIELD – For too long, consumers have been left tricked when gyms and fitness centers offer a lifetime membership, only to change the terms of the deal after the fact. That will change come Jan. 1, thanks to a new law championed by State Senator Christopher Belt ensuring these businesses keep their word.

“If you run an honest business that provides quality service to your customers, then this law won’t concern you,” said Belt (D-Swansea).  "We are going after bad actors in the fitness industry looking to nickel and dime their customers to death with cheap gimmicks.”

SPRINGFIELD – Starting Jan. 1, a new law supported by State Senator Christopher Belt will allow smaller poultry producers increased access to the poultry market while still upholding basic food safety measures.

“Farmers markets are popping up all over Illinois. They are a great way to grow local businesses, and now we will allow smaller poultry producers in on that growth,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “This is a big win for family farms and local chicken producers.”

The new law increases the annual poultry processing limit from 5,000 to 7,500 birds and permits direct-to-consumer sales, including at farmers markets.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt backed a property tax relief package that increases property tax exemption thresholds for senior citizens in Illinois.

“When this piece of legislation came across my desk, it was a no-brainer,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Many seniors in the Metro East have lived in their homes for decades ─ let’s ensure they are not priced out of the homes they have invested their lives into.”

Senate Bill 642 would deliver critical updates to help seniors on fixed incomes and help families facing economic challenges manage rising property tax costs. Under the measure, the maximum income limit for the Low-Income Senior Citizens Assessment Freeze Homestead Exemption would increase substantially over the next several years, beginning at $75,000 for taxable year 2026, increasing to $77,000 for taxable year 2027 and settling at $79,000 for taxable year 2028 and beyond.

VENICE – State Senator Christopher Belt joined leaders from across the Metro East region to break ground on a new grocery store in Venice as part of the Illinois Grocery Initiative — marking an important milestone in expanding access to fresh, affordable food for local residents. The groundbreaking represents a critical joint effort to revitalize the city, which was made possible through a $2.4 million state grant and private funding.

“We have had some great days here in Venice, first for our bill signing, then to award this grant, and now we are here to put a shovel in the ground,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “I don’t have a crystal ball, but I think we’ll be here again when the grocery store is completed to celebrate what we have accomplished.”

In 2023, Belt championed legislation aiming to eliminate the number of food deserts in Illinois’ communities — leading to the creation of the Illinois Grocery Initiative and the current construction of a new grocery store in Venice.

The Illinois Grocery Initiative is a multipronged policy designed to mitigate and eliminate food deserts across Illinois. The initiative consists of two key grant programs — the New Stores in Food Deserts Program and the Equipment Upgrades Grant Program. To date, DCEO has awarded a total of $18.1 million statewide, which includes $16.5 million for new grocery stores and $1.6 million for equipment upgrades. The Illinois Grocery Initiative has awarded grants to locations in Champaign, Chicago, Carlinville, Marion, Peoria, Roodhouse and Rockford.