EAST ST. LOUIS – To emphasize the importance of learning throughout the summer, State Senator Christopher Belt is hosting a Summer Book Club.

“Students who read during the summer gain an average of one month of reading proficiency,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “This is a great opportunity for students to participate in so they can stay on top of their academic skills and reading level when school starts back up in the fall.”

The Summer Book Club requires students to read eight books of their choice during the summer break, record the names of the books on a form and return the form to Senator Belt’s office by Aug. 18. Every child who completes the Summer Book Club will receive a gift card and a certificate from Senator Belt.

Summer Book Club forms are available to download at SenatorBelt.com or at any public library located in the 57^th District. People with questions can reach out to Belt’s office at (618) 875-1212.

CAHOKIA HEIGHTS – State Senator Christopher Belt joined Gulfstream Aerospace Corp., Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity on Tuesday in announcing the expansion of Gulfstream’s operations St. Louis Downtown Airport, enabling the company to increase completions and outfitting operations while investing in modernization at its Cahokia Heights location.

“This expansion of Gulfstream adds to the growth the Metro East area is continuing to see,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “We are staying on top of the game by meeting the demands of the growing region, while leaving a positive impact for the aviation and aerospace industry and workforce.”

Through a $28.5 million investment, Gulfstream Aerospace Corp. – which designs, develops and services the world’s leading business aircraft – will be expanding its Cahokia Heights facility, which will enable the company to increase capacity for exterior aircraft painting, furniture installations, avionics integrations and other operations. The company’s investment will also modernize facilities adding state-of-the-art equipment and tooling while improving energy efficiency and reducing waste. Once complete, the expansion will bring Gulfstream’s total footprint at Cahokia Height’s St. Louis Downtown Airport to 642,657 square feet.

Gulfstream’s expansion adds hundreds of new career opportunities in avionics, interior installations, structures and testing, as well as positions in procurement, parts management, customer service and engineering. To help build the talent pipeline in the region, Gulfstream is partnering with several local educational institutions, including East St. Louis Senior High School, The Center for Academic & Vocational Excellence in Belleville, Illinois, and Cahokia High School.

“We are excited to announce the expansion of our facility operations in Cahokia Heights,” said Mark Burns, president of Gulfstream. “This is a direct response to the increased demand we are seeing from around the world, and we appreciate our partnerships with the state of Illinois, St. Clair County, Bi-State Development, the city of Cahokia Heights and the village of Sauget for their continued support as we grow our presence and local workforce in the region.”

Gulfstream’s facility is located in St. Clair County at the St. Louis Downtown Airport – which serves as the busiest general aviation airport in Illinois outside of the Chicago area. The airport is a significant driver of local and state economies, contributing more than $422 million in economic impact for the region annually, including more than 1,500 jobs.

SPRINGFIELD — Residents struggling to pay their gas or electric bills will not face life-threatening utility shutoffs on hot days thanks to an initiative supported by State Christopher Belt that was signed into law last Friday.

“This measure recognizes the urgent need to safeguard vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children and individuals with health conditions,” said Belt. “There are many risks associated with extreme heat, and this aims to mitigate them, as well as prevent potential health and safety hazards.”

The new law prohibits a utility company from terminating gas or electric service due to nonpayment of bills on days when the forecasted temperature is 90 degrees Fahrenheit or above, or when the National Weather Service issues a heat watch, advisory or warning for the location of the residence. Previously, disconnections were prohibited during temperatures 95 degrees or hotter and did not take into account humidity or heat index.

Older adults, young children and people with chronic medical conditions are at high risk of heat-related illness and death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 700 people in the U.S. die from extreme heat each year. Heat exhaustion and heat stroke occur when the body is unable to properly cool itself and can happen even if a person is sitting or lying in a hot room.

“As extreme heat becomes more frequent, we need to prioritize the welfare of residents and ensure access to essential utilities,” said Belt. “No person or family should be put in harm’s way during a heat wave due to their financial circumstances.”

House Bill 1541 will go into effect Jan. 1, 2024.

METRO EAST – MidAmerica St. Louis Airport in Mascoutah announced their grand opening of an expanded terminal on Tuesday. Supported by State Senator Christopher Belt and other state and local officials, this is a transformative, $31 million multi-year project for the Metro East region.

“This is a big day for the Metro East. Whenever you can add terminals to an airport – that means growth and that’s what we want,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “The airport will be better equipped to meet the growing demands of passengers, airlines and businesses, driving even more economic growth and bolstering regional development.”

For the last 25 years, MidAmerica St. Louis Airport has been a popular travel choice for families in the Metro East and one of the busiest airports for travel in Illinois. The state-funded expansion will make the travel experience more convenient and comfortable for passengers flying through one of the state’s premier airports.

The MidAmerica St. Louis Airport terminal project expanded the existing 53,500-square-foot terminal by over 41,000square feet to meet the needs of the growing number of passengers at the airport. This project was made achievable through collaborative efforts of the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, which provided $7 million in grant funding, and the support of $24 million in federal funding.

“DCEO is committed to supporting the growth of our state’s multibillion-dollar aviation system across Illinois,” said DCEO Director Kristin Richards. “The terminal expansion at MidAmerica St. Louis Airport will elevate the travel experience for Illinoisans and visitors alike while ensuring our state remains a premier travel destination with unmatched infrastructure.”

The state’s investments in the aviation system continue to bolster economic development across Illinois. The MidAmerica St. Louis Airport has an annual economic impact of $3.1 billion while the statewide aviation system produces a $95.5 billion annual economic impact.