Belt-backed law to implement racial discrimination policies in Illinois schools
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SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt supported a new law that addresses race-related discrimination and harassment in Illinois schools.
“Schools have a responsibility to provide an inclusive and equitable learning environment for all students,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “By acknowledging and addressing these issues, schools can promote a more diverse and fair education system.”
This new law requires schools across the state to implement and maintain at least one written policy that prohibits discrimination and harassment against a person based on race, color and national origin and prohibits retaliation.
“Understanding race-related discrimination and harassment is important for the success of our students,” said Belt. “Schools play a crucial role in shaping students’ attitudes. Educating students on social issues such as this will help foster an environment that accepts and celebrates diversity, rather than rejecting it.”
The law also requires the Illinois School Board of Education to create a data collection system for schools to report the amount of discrimination, harassment and retaliation reported from their school and for the Illinois Department of Human Rights to develop a model training program on harassment and prevention for elementary and secondary schools.
Senate Bill 90 was signed into law Friday.
Belt-backed law to cap the price of insulin
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SPRINGFIELD – To ensure that Illinoisans in need of insulin have affordable access to the life-saving medicine, State Senator Christopher Belt supported a new law to cap its price at $35.
“Insulin is essential for individuals with diabetes to properly manage their condition,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “Capping the price of insulin ensures that people can afford it without facing financial hardships.”
Under this new law, the price of a 30-day supply of insulin will be capped at $35 for all private individual and group insurance policies.
More than 10% of the U.S. population has diabetes according to the diabetes research institute. One in 12 Illinoisans have insulin-dependent diabetes. According to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, the cost of insulin has risen 600% in the last 20 years. Americans pay 10 times than that of citizens of 32 other nations—$98.70 on average compared to $8.81.
“Insulin costs have increased significantly in recent years, despite there being little change to the production process,” said Belt. “This law will help protect patient’s well-being by ensuring that access to this life-saving medication is both consistent and affordable.”
House Bill 2189 was signed on Friday and goes into effect July 1, 2025.
Belt-backed law to reduce EpiPen costs
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SPRINGFIELD – Epinephrine auto-injectors, commonly known by the brand name EpiPens, will now cost a maximum of $60 per twin-pack thanks to a law backed by State Senator Christopher Belt.
“EpiPens are crucial. Every person who relies on EpiPens should have affordable, reliable access,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “The high cost of this life-saving medication has been a significant barrier for many individuals and families, putting their health and well-being at major risk.”
EpiPens are the only medication that works on the entire body to combat anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal allergic reaction. However, since 2017, a global shortage has made the medication increasingly difficult to obtain. The cost of EpiPens has skyrocketed in recent years, with a twin pack costing anywhere from $500-700 on average, and a single injector costing anywhere from $300-400.
The new Belt-backed law will limit the cost of EpiPens to a maximum of $60 per twin-pack.
“No one should have to choose between their health and financial stability,” said Belt. “This new law will provide peace of mind to those who rely on EpiPens and ensure that they can access this vital medication when they need it most.”
House Bill 3639 was signed Friday and takes effect Jan. 1, 2025.
Belt-backed law to provide harm reduction substance abuse education in public schools
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SPRINGFIELD – Harm reduction drug education will now be available to public K-12 students in Illinois thanks to a new law supported by State Senator Christopher Belt.
“It is important to acknowledge that current substance abuse education isn’t reflective of Black and Brown communities,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “This law will place emphasis on cultural competency and harm reduction, making substance abuse prevention achievable for all populations — regardless of students’ races or backgrounds.”
The new law will introduce research-informed, culturally and age appropriate, prevention-centric guidelines for drug education programs in Illinois public K-12 education.
Current drug education recommendations and programs, like "D.A.R.E", focus on refusal skills rather than harm reduction. Refusal skills are still necessary; however, students, parents and staff are not equipped with the full continuum of primary prevention and intervention strategies. Harm reduction incorporates a spectrum of strategies that include safer use, managed use, abstinence, meeting people who use drugs “where they’re at” and addressing conditions of use along with the use itself.
“This does not attempt to minimize or ignore the harm and danger associated with illicit drug use,” said Belt. “More so, we are recognizing concerns such as poverty, race, discrimination and inequity as individual vulnerabilities that affect the ways students deal with drug-related harm.”
Senate Bill 2223 was signed on Friday and goes into effect immediately.
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