EAST ST. LOUIS – To help thousands of adult learners in Illinois enhance their reading, writing and math skills, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) has announced Southwestern Illinois College will receive $36,000 in grants from the Illinois Secretary of State to support its adult literacy program.

“There is a direct relationship between low literacy levels and unemployment and poverty rates. These funds could help many learners improve their lives in the long term,” said Belt. “I also encourage local residents to volunteer as a tutor for these programs and contribute to their neighbors’ success.”

Adult literacy programs throughout Illinois will serve more than 13,500 students. Supported by $5.6 million in state funds, the programs will depend on nearly 6,000 volunteer tutors to provide skills training for students, according to the Secretary of State’s office. Adult literacy projects are focused on improving reading, writing and math skills for Illinois adults who read below the 9th-grade level or speak English at a beginning level. 

CENTREVILLE - In an effort to ensure disadvantaged families receive meal assistance, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) announced Wednesday that funding is available for organization that support children who are in need from the Child and Adult Care Program. 

“Reducing food insecurity among low-income children is a priority and core mission of our state,” Belt said.  “We want to continue to ensure our current reality does not hinder the meal assistance that many families rely on.”

The program assists child care centers, Head Start programs, before and after school programs, emergency shelters, and daycare home providers with funding to serve meals to children. All participating child care centers must provide meals to enrolled children at no additional cost.

The continuing COVID-19 pandemic has caused even more families to depend on federally funded nutrition programs. More than 1,000 child care centers across Illinois will be able to provide children with healthy meals.

EAST ST. LOUIS - In support of the grocery store employees, gas station attendants and other minimum wage workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) applauds the July 1 increase to the state's minimum wage.

“Our low-wage essential workers deserve to see a pay increase for their labor during the COVID-19 crisis,” Belt said. “And the many Illinoisans who have been laid off during the pandemic can count on a livable wage when they return to work.” 

Senate Bill 1 increases the state's minimum wage increases to $10 per hour on July 1. The legislation requires the wage to increase by $1 on Jan. 1 each year until it reaches $15 per hour in 2025. 

EAST ST. LOUIS – As high-speed internet becomes more and more of a necessity for households and businesses, State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) and Governor JB Pritzker announce a broadband expansion grant that will give approximately 177 households in the Metro-East access to high-speed internet. 

The funds come from Connect Illinois, Gov. Pritzker’s plan to provide basic internet access to every community in Illinois by 2024. 

“Now more than ever, we can clearly see how much high-speed internet is required. There are students across Illinois who struggled to participate in e-learning because they didn’t have adequate access to high-speed internet,” said Belt. “Going forward, we need to make sure we are ready for any type of catastrophe – as well as everyday life, and that starts by being connected.”