Belt, Hoffman partner to host canned food drive

SWANSEA — To kick off the giving season, State Senator Christopher Belt and State Representative Jay Hoffman are collecting canned goods ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

“Let’s come together to address the pressing need for food in our community,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Every little bit helps. Giving back is a small way we can all make a big difference in our community.”

Residents are encouraged to drop off cans of green beans, gravy and cranberry sauce, and boxes of stuffing and cornbread now through Nov. 18.

Drop off locations include:

• Senator Belt’s East St. Louis office: Kenneth Hall Regional Office Bldg., 10 Collinsville Ave., Suite 201A, East St. Louis
• Senator Belt’s Swansea office: 7 Park Pl., Suite C, Swansea
• Representative Hoffman’s Belleville office: 2300 W. Main St., Belleville
• Birth to Five Illinois: 1000 S. Illinois St., Belleville
• Downtown Belleville YMCA - Kern Center: 200 S. Illinois St., Belleville

For more information, contact Belt’s Swansea office at 618-416-2452 or Belt’s East St. Louis office at 618-875-1212.

Belt celebrates groundbreaking on new grocery store in Venice

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.

Read more: Belt celebrates groundbreaking on new grocery store in Venice

Belt: For those who have earned it, a second chance is possible

SPRINGFIELD – Marking a significant step forward in criminal justice reform, State Senator Christopher Belt supported a transformative approach to providing second chances while maintaining critical public safety protections.

"The Clean Slate Act gives hope to those looking to start over and do better," said Belt (D-Swansea). "It is important to note that this bill only includes offenses that are currently sealable, we are simply making this process automatic."

House Bill 1836 – also known as the Clean Slate Act – would automate the sealing of criminal records that are already eligible under current law, removing the need for individuals to navigate a complex petition process. Non-conviction records would be automatically sealed, but serious crimes like murder, sex offenses, human trafficking, Class X felonies, violent crimes, DUI and domestic battery are excluded from automatic sealing. The bill would take effect June 1, 2026.

Read more: Belt: For those who have earned it, a second chance is possible

Belt calls for bipartisan action to protect Illinois families from SNAP benefit shutdown

 SWANSEA – State Senator Christopher Belt is urging federal lawmakers to resolve the ongoing government shutdown to prevent the cessation of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits, come Nov. 1. Nearly two million Illinois residents rely on SNAP to provide basic nutrition for themselves and their families.

"SNAP is a lifeline for families in need, and by the end of the week, it could be shut down just like that," said Belt (D-Swansea). "Instead of doing their job and supporting these families, federal lawmakers would be cutting the lifeline and forcing families to fend for themselves."

SNAP provides critical support for children, seniors, veterans and individuals with disabilities, offering the nutrition they need to live healthy, productive lives. The federal government shutdown threatens to halt these benefits immediately, putting millions at risk of food insecurity – including the 42,962 people in the district Belt represents who rely on SNAP benefits.

Read more: Belt calls for bipartisan action to protect Illinois families from SNAP benefit shutdown