SPRINGFIELD – A measure sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) that seeks to remove barriers to getting hired by the state of Illinois for minorities and marginalized people passed the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday.

“Everybody deserves the same opportunity, no matter the color of their skin,” Belt said. “We need to continue the fight to end systemic racism, and this legislation gives equal opportunity to all candidates who hope to work for the state.”

The measure would require the Illinois Department of Central Management Services to identify policies that make it harder for minorities and marginalized people to get hired by the state of Illinois and to seek legislation to address systemic racism in the state’s hiring practices. Each state agency would also increase diversity on interview panels in order to better employment opportunities for women and minorities. In addition, the legislation encourages CMS and other state agencies to review current personnel policies to remove any and all language that is discriminatory from their books.

“This fight is far from over, but each step we take in the right direction leads us closer to ending systemic racism,” Belt said. “This measure is essential to removing the barriers minorities and marginalized people face during the hiring process to become a state employee.”

House Bill 3914 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee with a vote of 7-0 and now heads to the Senate floor for further consideration.

CENTREVILLE – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) announced that 38 local governments in St. Clair and Madison County will receive more than $5.9 million in the newest round of Rebuild Illinois infrastructure grants. 

“I’m pleased to see funds being spent to improve transportation needs that will make a difference in people’s daily lives,” Belt said. “Investing in local governments improves our state as a whole.”

The funding is being distributed in an effort to ensure that local governments have the necessary resources to repair and maintain infrastructure, as well as create jobs and boost the economy on a local level. Municipalities may choose to use the grant for road and bridge improvements, traffic signal upgrades, new storm sewers and bike paths, sidewalk replacements and other long-term maintenance needs, with financial oversight from Illinois Department of Transportation.

“Rebuild Illinois invests in our state’s transportation system, creates jobs and promotes economic growth,” Belt said. “This funding is necessary to put us back on track and help our local governments recover from the pandemic.”

This funding comes as the fourth of six rounds of $1.5 billion in grants through the Rebuild Illinois program. Those interested can find a complete list of awards here.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) is highlighting a funding opportunity for area airports for improvement projects through the Rebuild Illinois statewide construction program.

“I’m glad to see the state making these kinds of investments, and     I’m encouraging our local airport to apply,” Belt said. “This funding would help pay for maintenance and repairs that keep passengers safe, while boosting our local economy at the same time.”

The Illinois Department of Transportation announced that the Rebuild Illinois program will provide $94 million in funding to      improve public airports throughout the state. Through a competitive grant process, airports may submit project proposals for updates, improvements, and extensions of their facilities.

Airports must be for public use and included in the Illinois Aviation System Plan to be eligible for the funding. Applications are due June 14 to be eligible for grants of up to $25 million.

Local area airports eligible for this funding are MidAmerica St. Louis Airport, located in Belleville and St. Louis Downtown Airport, located in Cahokia Heights.

Application information is available by visiting IDOT’s Airport Improvement Program page. Awards are anticipated to be announced later this year.

SPRINGFIELD – A measure sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) that would require the Illinois Department of Transportation to provide funding to create      additional infrastructure in urban areas passed committee on Tuesday.

The measure would require IDOT to fully fund all aspects of construction projects on state roadways, including infrastructure for pedestrians walking and bicycling within one mile of an urban area. Additionally, the measure requires IDOT to complete any of these unfinished infrastructure projects in municipalities with a population of 1,000 or more.

“Often the towns and cities that can’t afford to pay for roadside projects are the ones that need them most.” Belt said. “Transportation is about more than just cars. If the state is funding a road improvement project, it should also pay for the sidewalks and bike lanes.”

Currently, IDOT covers 100% of the roadway construction, but requires 20% of costs associated with pedestrian infrastructure projects, like sidewalks, crosswalks and bike lanes, to be funded by the municipality where the project is located, which can be a large burden for some cities – particularly lower-income communities.

“These projects are too often left unfinished,” Belt said. “In an urban area, a large portion of the population walks or bikes, and when a sidewalk or bike lane isn’t finished, people can’t always get where they need to go safely.”

According to the Metropolitan Planning Council, the states that cover 100% of state roadway projects, including pedestrian infrastructure, include Minnesota, Wisconsin, Colorado, Massachusetts, Delaware, and New Jersey.

House Bill 270 passed the Senate Transportation Committee with a vote of 19-0 and now heads to the Senate floor for further consideration.