SPRINGFIELD – Veteran families will receive an additional $25 for the cost of transporting and erecting a veteran headstone or memorial marker under a proposal sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Cahokia).

Currently, families only receive $100 to pay for the cost of transporting and erecting a veteran headstone or memorial marker.

“We must always recognize and respect the service of those who keep us safe,” Belt said. “Veterans went out and fought for our country, and some lost their lives in the line of duty, so giving the families additional assistance is the least we can do. As costs for services and memorials go up, we should periodically make sure our assistance does as well.”

Read more: Belt helps veterans’ families honor their lost loved ones

SPRINGFIELD – Impoverished school districts will receive more state aid under a proposal sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Cahokia) that advanced yesterday in the Senate Education Committee.

Currently, a school district is allowed to take 85 percent of the Equalized Assessed Valuations plus Corporate Personal Property Replacement Tax to determine their ability to issue bonds. Belt’s proposal, Senate Bill 1746, would count state aid as part of baseline on which a district can base that 85 percent calculation.

Read more: Belt pushes for poorer schools to issue more bonds

EDWARDSVILLE – The Metro East area of Illinois is in dire need of investment by the state, State Senator Christopher Belt said today as a hearing was underway to give local officials an opportunity to detail some of the region’s most pressing construction needs.

Read more: Belt: Illinois is in dire need of an upgrade