Welcome to Senator Christopher Belt's legislative website

Belt celebrates completion of MetroLink Extension to MidAmerica St. Louis Airport

Belt announces grant funding for tourism in the Metro East

SWANSEA – State Senator Christopher Belt announced nearly $430,000 in grant funding is being awarded to the Metro East to attract visitors and support tourism in the region. The awards includes funds to support projects along Route 66 and in St. Clair County.

“The Metro East has a significant footprint in the automotive and motorsport industries,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “With the World Wide Technology Raceway and Belle-Clair Fairgrounds Speedway, the 57th District is in a unique position to bring in a lot more visitors in the years to come.”​

On Route 66, $354,000 will be used for a comprehensive capital improvement and visitor experience enhancement project for the World Wide Technology Raceway located in Madison. Key project components include the installation of electric vehicle charging stations, Route 66-themed wayfinding and interpretive signage, modernization of drag strip scoreboards, redevelopment of the interstate-facing drag tower into a landmark Route 66 feature, and creation of highly visible visitor engagement and photo opportunity areas.

Read more: Belt announces grant funding for tourism in the Metro East

Belt encourages families to apply for energy bill assistance

SWANSEA – To combat rising energy prices, State Senator Christopher Belt encourages eligible families in the 57th District to apply for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

“Families in the Metro East work hard and they deserve some support to keep the lights on during hard times,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “With the LIHEAP program, those in need can get assistance when it comes to their energy bill.”

The LIHEAP program – which opens Oct. 1 – utilizes a priority application system to ensure that families most in need can apply first. All families who meet the qualifications and provide proper documentation will receive support until funding is exhausted. Families who earn up to two times the federal poverty level are eligible to receive support through LIHEAP. A chart with the eligible income thresholds can be found here.

Read more: Belt encourages families to apply for energy bill assistance

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