SWANSEA – To enhance much-needed transportation improvements across the state, State Senator Christopher Belt joined the Illinois Department of Transportation in announcing nearly $9.5 million for 20 organizations to support their planning and developing efforts, including $600,000 for Bi-State Development Agency of the Missouri-Illinois Metropolitan District. 

“There is a lot of behind-the-scenes research that occurs before breaking ground on transportation projects,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “With Southwestern Illinois continuing to grow economically, the amount of transportation research projects do too, and I’m all for investing in these studies around the region that are bound to benefit our region in the long run.”

Administered by IDOT using $7.5 million in federal funds, with matching funds of $1.25 million from the state and $741,000 from local governments, the grants are designed to advance the objectives of the agency’s Long-Range Transportation Plan. Among the criteria considered were projects that implement asset-management strategies and performance-based planning and programming, as well as activities that grow and support economically distressed areas.

SWANSEA — State Senator Christopher Belt joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in announcing $1.5 million in funding for the Job Training and Economic Development Teacher Apprenticeship Program, including nearly $500,000 for McKendree University.

“Teachers and paraprofessionals are what make schools valuable, and our students cannot afford to see more declines in the profession,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “The JTED Teacher Apprenticeship Program is an amazing approach to recruit future educators. Not only will it help individuals in their professional life, it gives students qualified and reliable educators, too.”

The JTED Teacher Apprenticeship Program is creating pilot programs throughout the state to upscale currently employed paraprofessional educators. Educator preparation providers will lead these pilot programs with partnerships from local education and workforce agencies. McKendree University, located in Belt’s district, is set to receive $499,900 for the program.

SWANSEA – To promote resources available to small businesses and hear from local owners and entrepreneurs, State Senator Christopher Belt is accepting applications to tour shops, restaurants and other establishments in the 57^th Senate District.

“There are many local businesses in the Metro East that provide great services, but are often overlooked,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “I want to show my support, uplift owners and promote these amazing small businesses to let residents know the importance of supporting them.”

Applications are open, and interested business owners can find the application here. The program will start in the coming weeks and Belt requests that businesses submit their applications soon. Once an application is received, a member of Belt’s team will respond with additional details.

Those with questions can contact Belt’s office at 618-416-2452 or visit SenatorBelt.com.

SWANSEA — State Senator Christopher Belt announced that 25 school districts across the area will receive over $12 million in additional funding to help address the financial challenges of recent years.

“Evidence-based funding makes a world of difference in school districts that are in more disadvantaged areas,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “When we take into account data-driven strategies, we are able to provide adequate funding to the schools that need it most, giving all students, regardless of their background, a fair shot at quality education.”

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.