SPRINGFIELD – In order for Illinois to provide equitable access to high-quality early childhood education and care services, State Senator Christopher Belt supported a measure signed into law Tuesday, creating the Illinois Department of Early Childhood.

“It is essential that we provide our youth with quality care and education at the earliest age possible,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “In doing so, this lays the foundation for a child’s learning journey and can result in long-term success for children.”

Senate Bill 1 creates the Department of Early Childhood beginning July 1. This department will be the lead agency for administering and providing early childhood education and care programs and services to children and families in Illinois. Additionally, all other state agencies dealing with early childhood services will have these programs transferred to the Department of Early Childhood by July 1, 2026.

BELLEVILLE – State Senator Christopher Belt announced that Chestnut Health Services Inc., in Belleville has been selected to participate in a federal program designed to expand and improve access to coordinated mental health care and substance use treatment.

“As the awareness of mental health continues to grow, so does the need for helpful, easily accessible services,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “It is nice to see support on the federal level to help us grow these resources so we can ensure our residents are receiving the care they deserve.”

The Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic Demonstration Program provides reimbursement through Medicaid for the full cost of services that CCBHCs provide – at higher rates than what they previously received for Medicaid customers. This program is estimated to bring an additional $150 million into Illinois’ behavioral health system. CCBHCs provide access to a range of services and care coordination through evidence-based practices and other supports based on a community needs assessment. This includes crisis services that are available 24/7. CCBHCs are also required to provide routine outpatient care within 10 business days.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available by calling or texting 988, or via chat at 988lifeline.org. To learn how to get support for mental health or substance use issues, visit FindSupport.gov. Locate treatment providers by visiting FindTreatment.gov or calling 800-662-HELP (4357).

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt moved a bill out of the Senate Thursday that would provide better financial protections for small businesses in the state.

“There are small businesses around the state, especially in my community, that have faced challenges in accessing fair and transparent financing options that have allowed them to fall victim to predatory lending,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “These businesses are the backbone of our communities and they should be uplifted, not burdened with financial hardship and business failure.”

Senate Bill 2234 would create the Small Business Financing Transparency Act, which would provide protections for small businesses when taking out a loan by requiring key financial terms such as the amount financed, fees and the annual percentage rate be clearly disclosed at the time an online or non-bank provider makes an offer for a loan.

“With clear disclosure of loan agreements and financial terms, these businesses can make better decisions for their future and success,” said Belt. “Our state’s small business community will not have a future if predatory lending continues to occur. This measure sends a clear message that it will not be tolerated.”

Senate Bill 2234 heads to the House for consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – In an effort to raise awareness of the ongoing need for organ and tissue donation, State Senator Christopher Belt joined Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias in a press conference about the topic on Thursday.

“As an organ donor recipient, I know firsthand how critical one’s life may be in if they are on the transplant list waiting for the news an organ has become available to them,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “It doesn’t matter your gender, age, race or any other factors. What matters is the fact you can save many lives by being a donor, and I will always urge everyone to add their name to the list.”

Currently, more than 7.5 million Illinoisans are registered with Illinois' Organ and Tissue Donor Registry with more than 2,000 transplants taking place each year. Yet, approximately 4,000 people remain on the transplant waiting list, and about 300 die waiting for a transplant every year.

“We are working diligently to spread the word about organ and tissue donation and to add to the Illinois Organ Donor Registry,” said Giannoulias. “We come to work every day and focus on issues that are important, but there are few things that are as important as this. We have the opportunity to save lives, save families, so anything and everything we can do to raise awareness, we will continue to do.”

To become a donor, Illinoisans can register with the Secretary of State's Organ and Tissue Donor Registry by visiting LifeGoesOn.com, calling 800-210-2106 or signing up at the DMV.