SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) recently honored 258 St. Clair County high school students who were named 2021-22 Illinois State Scholars by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission.

Illinois State Scholar winners rank in approximately the top 10%      of the state’s high school seniors from 676 high schools in all 102 counties. Selection is based on a combination of standardized test scores and class rank or unweighted GPA at the end of the      student’s junior year. ISAC works in conjunction with the students’ high school guidance counselors to determine the winners.

“The last two school years have been hard on students, school staff and parents,” Belt said. “No one could have predicted a global pandemic disrupting all of our lives, and that’s why I’m so proud of these students,” Belt said. “Not only did they performed academically, but they had to perform mentally and emotionally as well. It takes a lot of courage and discipline to achieve what these students have achieved with hybrid and remote learning.”

The scholars from St. Clair County include students from nine area high schools: O’Fallon Township, Althoff Catholic, Belleville Township East, Belleville Township West, First Baptist Academy, Freeburg, Lebanon, Marissa Junior/Senior and Mascoutah high schools.

Recipients of the award will receive a congratulatory letter from ISAC, and a Certificate of Achievement will be sent to their high school. State Scholars will also receive a digital badge issued by ISAC that can be displayed on online profiles, exhibited on social media, and shared with prospective colleges and employers.

“I’d like to thank the teachers and school administrators for all of their hard work as well,” Belt said. “It was their hard work and determination that allowed these students to thrive in a difficult situation.”

More information about the State Scholar program can be found at ISAC’s website.

SPRINGFIELD – A measure introduced by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) that would require the Illinois Department of Natural Resources to fly the United States, Illinois and prisoner of war/missing in action flags at all state parks passed the State Senate on Friday.

“These flags are representations of our state and nation, as well      as a reminder of the sacrifices service members have given to protect the freedoms we have today,” Belt said.

The measure would require IDNR to fly a United States, Illinois      and POW/MIA flag at all state parks within five years after it is      signed into law. Additionally, the legislation would allow for groups and individuals to donate resources to the department’s Special Projects Fund to cover the cost of implementation.

“We’re currently living in a moment of such division in our country,” Belt said. “I hope this legislation will help us unify.”

There are over 100 state parks across Illinois.

Senate Bill 2089 passed the Illinois Senate without opposition and now heads to the Illinois House of Representatives for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – A measure sponsored by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) that would require the Illinois State Board of Education to create an unused food program for schools passed the State Senate on Thursday.

“No child in Illinois should go to bed hungry,” Belt said. “This      program will build on the success of the free lunch and breakfast program the state already has in place.”

The program would allow public schools to provide their leftover food to students who already receive free or reduced lunch and breakfast. Like the free lunch and breakfast program, the food must be free to the students.

Currently, every school in Illinois must offer its free lunch and breakfast program to all eligible students. To be eligible, a student must be the recipient of SNAP benefits or Temporary Assistance to Needy Families. The new program would use the same eligibility requirements.

Similar programs already exist in states like Indiana. School districts partner with non-profits to take leftover food and prepare frozen take-home meals for students over the weekends.

“Right now, the state makes sure that our students in need do not go hungry during the school day,” Belt said. “This measure would ensure that those same students have food when they go home.”

Senate Bill 805 passed the Illinois Senate with a vote of 56-0 and now heads to the Illinois House of Representatives for further consideration.

SPRINGFIELD – A measure introduced by State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) that would simplify the certification process for certified nursing assistants working at the Illinois Department of Corrections passed the State Senate on      Wednesday.

“Being a nurse is admirable,” Belt said. “They have fearlessly      served the residents of Illinois during this pandemic, and now it’s time we serve them.”

The measure would make it easier for CNAs working for IDOC to keep their certification while working for the department. By categorizing IDOC as a health care employer, it would allow CNAs to maintain their certification while working there.

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, if a CNA has a gap of at least two years without employment by a health care employer, they will lose their registration status and no longer be listed on the Health Care Worker Registry. Currently, IDOC is not considered to be a health care employer, meaning that CNAs working for the department as a CNA for more than two years will lose their registration.

Right now, a CNA working for IDOC has to work a second job for another health care employer in order to maintain their certification. By modifying the act’s definition to include IDOC as a health care employer, CNAs employed by the department would no longer face this barrier.

“Right now, the Department of Corrections is not considered to be a health care employer,” Belt said. “This simple change will remove an unnecessary barrier for nurses serving their state.”

Senate Bill 1771 passed the Illinois Senate without opposition and now heads to the Illinois House of Representatives for further consideration.