SPRINGFIELD - State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) will serve on the Illinois Commission on Equitable Early Childhood Education and Care Funding to improve access to quality early childhood programs for all Illinois families.

“If we expect our children to have successful careers, we need to continue to invest in early childhood education,” Belt said. “This starts with making sure students have an intellectual skill set before entering kindergarten and ensuring the most disadvantaged children have the opportunity to succeed alongside their more advantaged classmates.”

Governor JB Pritzker and early childhood experts created the 29-member commission to establish funding goals and funding tools to provide reasonable access to high-quality early childhood education, care services for all children from birth to age five and their families.

The members who will serve on the commission are child care providers, advocates, educators and legislators.

SPRINGFIELD – A measure aimed to reduce the insane cost of prescription insulin cost pass the Illinois Senate today with the support from State Senator Christopher Belt.

Senate Bill 667  will caps out patients' out of pocket costs for prescription insulin at $100 for a 30-day supply and directs the Attorney General's office to investigate reasons for rising prescription insulin costs to ensure sufficient consumer protections in the pricing of prescription insulin drugs.

“African Americans are more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes and these prices of prescription insulin cost has seriously affected them,” Belt said. “These drug companies are taking advantage of people who have no choice but to purchase insulin and this legislation will put to stop that.”

According to the American Diabetes Association, there are over 30 million Americans who have diabetes and approximately 7.4 million depend on insulin. The price of insulin as tripled between 2002 and 2013, which has led to many patients rationing their insulin and sacrificing other daily needs to pay for insulin.

The legislation would make Illinois just the second state in nation to cap out of pocket insulin cost for diabetics. Colorado became the first earlier this year.

The measure passed the Senate 48-7 and will move the House for further consideration.

ST. CLAIR COUNTY - State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) recently announced a $30 million investment in I-255 in St. Clair County from the Illinois Department of Transportation’s five-year Highway Improvement Program.

“Many residents have complained about the long-term construction on I-255 and how the potholes and uneven lanes are a safety hazard,” Belt said. “This has been a burden for the people I represent, and really I appreciate Gov. Pritzker and IDOT for making it a top priority to finally restore this important road.”

Other local projects beginning in 2020 include ADA improvements to Illinois Routes 13 and 15 from Rogers Drive in Freeburg to south of the Kaskaskia River, the relocating of Illinois Route 158 from Route 177 to 161, and the repairing of McKinley Bridge in Madison County.

Over the next five years, IDOT is planning 92 separate projects in the area, with over 100 miles of repairs of highways and bridges. A complete breakdown of every project can be found here: http://www.idot.illinois.gov/Assets/uploads/files/Transportation-System/Reports/OP&P/HIP/2020-2025/ilsenate/sdist57.pdf

In total, IDOT’s statewide program will invest $23.5 billion in improving and expanding roads and bridges throughout Illinois, more than double the size of the previous year’s Multi-Year Plan. Projects outlined in the plan will cover 4,212 miles of roadway and 9.2 million square feet of bridge deck statewide between 2020 and 2025.

EAST ST. LOUIS – State Senator Christopher Belt (D-Centreville) announced today that a temporary express driver services facility opened today at the East St. Louis Community College Center.

The previous East St. Louis Driver Services facility is temporarily closed due to air quality concerns. Belt and Representative Latoya Greenwood worked with Secretary of State Jesse White to arrange a safe alternative location in a timely manner.   

“I would like to commend the East St. Louis Community College Center for providing accommodations to enable driver services to stay within the community, Belt said. “The wellbeing of employees and customers will always be Representative Greenwood’s and my main concern, and it’s vital that residents have access to essential services.”

The temporary DMV will operate in Building A in rooms 1013 and 1014 at 601 James R. Thompson Blvd. The weekly hours of operation will be Tuesday 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; Wednesday through Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Saturday 7:30 a.m.- noon.

Commercial driver’s license holders who wish to conduct a CDL drive exam are encouraged to visit www.cyberdriveillinois.com or call 217-785-3013 to make an appointment at any of these CDL facilities:

Salem – 1375 W. Whittaker

Marion – 1905 Rendleman St.

Springfield – 2701 S. Dirksen Parkway

Charleston – 1010 E. Street

Belleville – 400 W. Main (beginning Oct. 15)

The Belleville Driver Services facility located at 400 W. Main will begin offering CDL drive exams on Tuesday, October 15.