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.

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.”

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.

SPRINGFIELD – A new law championed by State Senator Christopher Belt will tackle the increasing number of food deserts in Illinois.

“Everyone should be close to fresh and affordable food ,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “This new Grocery Initiative Act will provide crucial support to grocery stores in areas where they are needed most.”

Under the new law, the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity will be required to provide grants and other forms of financial assistance to grocery stores located in or to be located in a food desert. This aims to help mitigate the issue of food deserts across the state. An area is considered a food desert when urban residents have to travel more than a half-mile and rural residents more than 10 miles to get to the nearest grocery store.

“When communities lack grocery stores, it can have a significant impact on the health and well-being of residents,” said Belt. “With this new initiative, we are heading in the right direction to ensure everyone has easy access to healthy food.”

Senate Bill 850 was signed Friday.