Welcome to Senator Christopher Belt's legislative website

Belt announces additional funding to prevent food insecurity

SWANSEA – State Senator Christopher Belt announced new funding is available under the Illinois Grocery Initiative through the New Stores in Food Deserts, Equipment Upgrades and Grocery Rescue grant programs – representing a $26 million effort to address food deserts and prevent grocery store closures in communities across the state.

“The Metro East has been hit hard with grocery chain closures. Seeing the Cahokia Heights Walmart and the East St. Louis Save-A-Lot closed within days of each other in 2023 left our residents in a number of municipalities with even less fresh food options,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “As the Senate sponsor of the Illinois Grocery Initiative and a steadfast advocate of the program for the last three years, I’m incredibly proud to announce this current round of funding, ensuring communities across the 57th District have the opportunity to obtain new store funding, equipment upgrades and business incentives.”

The new Grocery Rescue Program will support efforts to reopen stores that have closed within the preceding 12 months. This program is designed to prevent long-term food access loss in low-access tracts, preventing the formation of new food deserts. Funding can be used for store acquisition, repair, refurbishing property and equipment and some first-year operating costs.

Read more: Belt announces additional funding to prevent food insecurity

Belt secures strong investment to expand Metro East’s workforce training

SWANSEA – In an effort to expand workforce training, State Senator Christopher Belt helped secure nearly $1.5 million to connect workers with the skills and resources they need to enter in-demand careers while helping employers build the qualified workforce they need to grow.

“We have so many wonderful organizations in the Metro East who just want to help people, and all they need is the funds to do it,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “I’m proud to see organizations like the Reset to Success Foundation, which helps at-risk youth get back on the right track, and businesses like Soulcial Kitchen, with their Food Truck Apprentice Program helping people with passion launch thriving, sustainable food businesses, receive crucial workforce training funding.”

Read more: Belt secures strong investment to expand Metro East’s workforce training

Belt encourages local organizations to apply for pre-apprenticeship funding

SWANSEA – To expand the 57th District’s talent pipeline and boost diversity in Illinois’ construction and building trades, State Senator Christopher Belt is encouraging local community-based organizations to apply for the latest round of funding through the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program. 

“We have a diverse group of hard-working people here in the Metro East that will directly benefit from this program,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Participants will have the opportunity to attend tuition-free trainings that will provide a direct path to long-time employment.”

The Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program launched in 2021 through the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity with the goal of increasing access to apprenticeship programs to a more diverse pool of candidates. These comprehensive pre-apprenticeship programs help participants gain admission to apprenticeship programs, which provide graduates a greater opportunity to start a long-term career in the trades. Since the program’s inception, Illinois Works has awarded over $70 million to community-based organizations serving over 7,000 Illinois residents.

Read more: Belt encourages local organizations to apply for pre-apprenticeship funding

Belt measure expanding grant opportunities for volunteer fire departments signed into law

SPRINGFIELD– Legislation sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt to expand grant opportunities for volunteer fire departments has been signed into law.  

“When there’s an emergency, people don’t care if the firefighter responding is full time or part time, so access to state grants should reflect that,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “The law gives volunteer departments access to resources they need to maintain facilities, upgrade equipment and continue protecting our communities.”

The new law will allow the Office of the Illinois State Fire Marshal to create and award rehabilitation and construction grants to volunteer fire departments and fire protection districts. Currently, many volunteer departments are ineligible for state funding opportunities available through the Fire Station Construction and Rehabilitation Grant Program.

Volunteer fire departments play a critical role in providing emergency services throughout Illinois, particularly in rural and underserved communities. However, many departments operate on limited budgets and rely heavily on local fundraising efforts and community support to maintain their stations and equipment.

Read more: Belt measure expanding grant opportunities for volunteer fire departments signed into law