Belt emphasizes energy bill assistance program, urges residents to apply

• Energy
• Assistance
• LIHEAP

EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt is encouraging all eligible people to apply to this year’s Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program to help with utility costs. Applications will be accepted starting Oct. 2 through Aug. 15, 2024.

“This program is an example of our state’s commitment to helping those in need and building a more equitable society,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “With rising energy costs and other economic uncertainties, it’s more important now than ever to offer assistance to those who need it most.”

The energy bill assistance program offered through the Help Illinois Families Program in program year 2023 will provide $237 million to eligible families to assist with natural gas, propane and electricity bills. Last year's LIHEAP funding — which was available from September 2022 through May 2023 — provided assistance to a record number of 311,214 households.

Beginning Oct. 2, eligible families can apply to this year’s program by visiting HelpIllinoisFamilies.com or by visiting their local agency (a list of partners throughout the state can be found here). Families can also call 1-833-711-0374 for assistance in 30 languages.

“LIHEAP serves as a lifeline for low-income families, seniors and individuals with disabilities who have struggled with the increasing price of energy bills,” said Belt. “I’m urging all qualified people to apply to this year’s program so everyone is able to stay safe and comfortable this winter.”

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.

Belt: Local schools to receive over $12 million in evidence-based funding

• Education
• ISBE
• Students
• Evidence Based Funding

EAST ST. LOUIS — State Senator Christopher Belt announced that nearly two dozen school districts across the area will receive over $12 million in additional funding to help address the financial challenges of recent years.

“These investments will do wonders for the physical and intellectual learning environments across the district, and the students are more than deserving of the utmost support,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Raising children is a community effort, and I am thankful for all the hard work parents, teachers and other staff have done to uplift their students.”

The funding comes from the 2017 Illinois Senate Democrat-backed evidence-based funding formula — an overhaul of the way the state funds K-12 education. The law made school funding more equitable by calculating the needs of individual school districts and basing its state revenue on those needs. The formula takes into account a district’s total enrollment, poverty rate and number of special education or English language learners, among other factors.

Local schools set to receive funding through the formula:

• Venice Community Unit School District 3: $82
• Safe School – St. Clair ROE: $70,886
• Lebanon Community School District 9: $20
• New Athens Community Unit School District 60: $38,865
• Freeburg Community Consolidated School District 70: $102,407
• Freeburg Community High School District 77: $175,771
• Shiloh Village School District 85: $264,299
• O’Fallon Community Consolidated School District 90: $2,173,691
• Grant Community Consolidated School District 110: $140,767
• Wolf Branch School District 113: $79,026
• Whiteside School District 115: $386,350
• High Mount School District 116: $31,682
• Belleville School District 118: $693,140
• Belle Valley School District 119: $561,655
• Smithton Community Consolidated School District 130: $208,646
• Millstadt Community Consolidated School District 160: $14,662
• Harmony-Emge School District 175: $224,447
• Signal Hill School District 181: $42,712
• Cahokia Community Unit School District 187: $82,057
• Brooklyn Unit School District 188: $2,342
• East St. Louis School District 189: $4,517
• Dupo Community Unit School District 196: $122,597
• Belleville Township High School District 201: $2,622,380
• O’Fallon Township High School District 203: $1,447,756

The Fiscal Year 24 budget invested $350 million in new funding into students’ success through the evidence-based funding model.

“Every student in Illinois deserves a high-quality education and resources that support their brilliance; adequate funding our schools is one step toward realizing that future. As a proud teacher in East St. Louis District 189, I have seen firsthand how access can change the trajectory of a student’s life,” said 2023 Illinois Teacher of the Year Briana Morales. “I am overjoyed to see the excellence in education within the 57^th district receiving this necessary funding for students to thrive.”

For more information on the FY 24 evidence-based funding distribution, visit the Illinois State Board of Education’s website.

Belt commends Illinois workers

EAST ST. LOUIS - As Labor Day approaches, State Senator Christopher Belt highlights the importance of the hardworking people in the 57^th District whose dedication and efforts continue to drive our communities and economy forward.

Labor Day is observed every year on the first Monday in September. This is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century, when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity and well-being.

Illinois has consistently demonstrated its dedication to the well-being of its workforce. From enacting labor protections to advocating for equal pay, the state has been at the forefront of championing workers’ rights.

 “I have been a longtime advocate for workers in every sector,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “I will continue to work tirelessly to create an environment that supports the desires of workers in Illinois, regardless of their background or occupation.”

Belt secures funding to tackle carjackings in Metro East

EAST ST. LOUIS — State Senator Christopher Belt helped secure a $2.4 million grant for the Metro East Auto Task Force — a move that will prevent carjackings, vehicle theft and break-ins throughout the community.

“The uptick in carjackings is a disturbing trend,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Innocent people are being targeted by this senseless crime across Illinois — and particularly in the Metro East.”

With carjackings on the rise, Belt stood alongside Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias to announce a $2.4 million grant for the Metro East Auto Task Force. The group is a collaborative effort between law enforcement agencies to investigate and prevent auto thefts, carjacking and other related crimes.

“It’s vital law enforcement and community organizations have the resources they need to address the increase in crime head on,” said Belt. “Funding for the Metro East Auto Task Force allows us to hone in on our effort to recover stolen vehicles and prevent carjackings.”

Belt has been instrumental in the fight against the uptick in carjackings. He recently supported a measure to provide protections for victims of carjackings who receive red light or speed camera violations after their vehicle has been hijacked, as well as one to provide additional resources to law enforcement to target and capture people who steal someone’s car.

This session, Belt served as a co-sponsor of a recently signed law to require Illinois car manufacturers to establish a 24/7 hotline for police and consumers to utilize in case of a carjacking or kidnapping.