CENTREVILLE – The St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD)      has been chosen to receive $200,000 in state funding through the Illinois Bicycle Path Grant Program, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) announced Wednesday.

“This funding will help grow existing bike trail networks in the area,” Belt said. “Investing in our county bike trails offers people more opportunities for recreation and to get outside more often.”

SCCTD will use the grant funding to construct a 0.8-mile section of paved trail located along the west side of Old Collinsville Road in Fairview Heights from Munie Road to Frank Scott Parkway East.

The Illinois Bicycle Path Grant Program, which is administered by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, was created in 1990 to provide grants to eligible local governments for projects that develop, rehabilitate or construct new bike trails. This year, the program will fund seven bike path projects across the state totaling more than $800,000.

More information about the program, eligible projects and the application process is available here.

SPRINGFIELD – In order to increase employment opportunities for women, minorities and people with disabilities, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) is sponsoring a measure to change the job interview process at state agencies.

“It’s essential for agencies to have diversity in mind when they interview job applicants,” Belt said. “People tend to hire applicants that look like them, which means interview panels that lack diversity can be less likely to produce a diverse workplace.”

The measure would create the Equal Opportunity Employment Interview Initiative and require state agencies to implement hiring goals for certain target groups, including women, minorities and people with disabilities.

During a multiple stage or panel interview process, if the applicant has a disability or identifies as a minority, a woman, or bilingual, state agencies would have to assign an interviewer who also represents one of these groups.

In addition, in an annual report to the governor and General Assembly, state agencies would be required to disclose:

• the number of interviewees from target groups,
• the number of interviews in which both the applicant and an interviewer were representative of the same target group, and
• the number of applicants from target groups who were hired under the Equal Opportunity Employment Interview Initiative.

“A diverse hiring panel could help decrease bias during the hiring process,” Belt said. “If an applicant is a woman, her chances of getting hired improve when a woman is part of the panel conducting the interview. The same goes for individuals who identify as a minority.”

Senate bill 1765 passed the Senate State Government Committee Wednesday and will now head to the Senate floor for further consideration.

CENTREVILLE – Each year, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources selects schools across the state to receive grants for      field trips. This year, Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) is congratulating St. John the Baptist School in Smithton on being selected as a winner.

“I am incredibly grateful that the students at St. John the Baptist School were chosen for this opportunity,” Belt said. “This program offers students an excellent chance to expand their learning      outside of the classroom.”

The program allows schools to take students to state parks, museums, and other natural resource locations to gain hands-on experience with nature and conservation in Illinois.

Students at the St. John the Baptist School, from Kindergarten to 8th Grade, will take a trip to the Washington County State Recreation Area, a 900-acre state park. At the State Recreation Area, students will have the chance to experience some of what they are learning about Illinois’ natural resources and biodiversity outside of the classroom.

More information about the Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant Program is available from the IDNR Division of Education at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 217-524-4126. The 2022 application form will be available here.

CENTREVILLE – In efforts to address the inequalities in Black      youth education, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) is highlighting legislation signed today that will provide Black children equal opportunity in the classroom and workforce. The legislation is part of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus’ plan to rid Illinois of systemic racism.

“Quality equitable education is imperative for the development of Black children and children living below the poverty line across Illinois and the nation,” Belt said. “Access to a quality education is one of the most effective tools we can use to combat poverty in Illinois’ Black communities.”

The measure addresses disparities in Black students’ education. To ensure all students, especially Black students have access to the highest quality courses available, schools will now automatically enroll students in the next level of advanced coursework if they meet or exceed state standards in that subject matter – including Advanced Placement courses.

To make sure Black history stays a part of American history, the legislation creates an Inclusive American History Commission to reform the Black history curriculum and curriculums regarding other minority groups.

In order to help Black students meet universities’ acceptance requirements the legislation requires school districts to add two years of laboratory science and foreign language. It also requires one year of intensive computer literacy in high school curriculum and for high schools to offer at least one elective computer science course.

“Accessing higher education remains difficult for Black students, especially at four-year institutions,” Belt said. “Requiring schools in this state to provide the necessary courses to get into these colleges and universities helps all students, regardless of race.”

House Bill 2170 was signed by Governor J.B. Pritzker on Monday, March 8. Various provisions of the law will take effect over coming years.