EAST ST.LOUIS – A new $9.9 million hub to house St. Clair County sheriff’s deputies, 911 dispatchers, the transit control center and more will soon be built in East St. Louis thanks to the support of State Senators Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) and Rachelle Aud Crowe (D-Glen Carbon).

“The bipartisan Rebuild Illinois capital program has positively impacted the state, and these local infrastructure investments come at a critical time to help downstate transportation,” said Belt. “Investing in the Metro East’s transportation is vital, as it will continue to create jobs, promote economic growth and keep residents safe when traveling.”

EAST ST. LOUIS – Over a dozen local businesses in and around St. Clair County were awarded over $500,000 in funding from the Back to Business program to tackle pandemic-related losses, thanks to the support of State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea).

“Businesses across Illinois have been greatly impacted in a variety of ways by COVID-19, especially family-owned, small businesses,” Belt said. “This funding will give business owners a chance to mend from the major impacts the pandemic has brought to our community.”

The B2B program grants are awarded by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity using funds allocated to them by the American Rescue Plan through last year’s state budget. So far – thanks to strong support from Belt – DCEO has provided $111 million in B2B grants to nearly 3,000 small businesses throughout the state with an emphasis on disproportionately impacted areas.

A total of $510,000 was awarded to 14 businesses to help them cover the costs of safely staying open in these unpredictable times. Businesses include hotels, restaurants, barbershops and more.

EAST ST. LOUIS – To support the Restore, Reinvest and Renew program, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) will join Lieutenant Governor Juliana Stratton and Representative LaToya Greenwood (D-East St. Louis) to host an informational webinar for organizations that have been harmed by violence, excessive incarceration and economic disinvestment.

“Communities across the state have been impacted by gun violence, unemployment, poverty and wrongful doing,” Belt said. “It is our duty as government officials to help those in our community get the resources they need to protect themselves from gun violence, promote employment opportunities and build healthy investments for those in need.”

The virtual info session will be held on Thursday, Jan. 27 at 6 p.m. on the $45 million R3 program. The grants fund programs in five areas, including civil legal aid, economic development, reentry, violence prevention and youth development. Nonprofit organizations, local governments, faith-based organizations, businesses and other community or neighborhood associations may apply for grants individually or in a collaborative with other groups.

EAST ST. LOUIS – Local libraries throughout the Metro East will receive over $150,000 in grants thanks to Secretary of State Jesse White, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Swansea) announced Thursday.

“Libraries are an outlet for people of all ages to enhance their knowledge,” Belt said. “The pandemic has brought an immense amount of challenges to libraries, such as limiting access and having enough staff, but this funding will help our local libraries recover.”

Six Metro East libraries are set to receive a total of $154,509 to respond directly to difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The grant provides nearly $6 million in funding for libraries to modify services, transform spaces and develop resources for their local recovering workforce and to ensure all operations can be provided safely and effectively as the pandemic continues.