SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) released the following statement regarding the governor’s budget address Wednesday afternoon:

 ”I appreciate Gov. Pritzker proposing funding for additional personnel to allow appropriate staffing ratios at corrections facilities across the state. I spent 16 years with the St. Clair County Probation and Detention Center and two years as the regional deputy administrator of Aftercare for the central and southern regions of Illinois, so I strongly applaud him for considering the safety of our correctional officers.

In addition, I support the governor proposing a fully funded mandate of pensions. After passing legislation that consolidates pensions in the downstate region, it’s vital that residents in my district have pension payment schedules that goes as planned.”