EAST ST. LOUIS – Construction and building trades will be expanded in the Metro East thanks to a nearly $700,000 investment secured by State Senator Christopher Belt.

“Expanding the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship programs will bring more opportunities and jobs to Metro East residents looking for a new career,” said Belt (D- Swansea). “By providing people with support and training, we’re opening the door for Illinoisans to secure stable, good-paying careers in a high-demand industry.”

The Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship was created to promote diversity, inclusion and use of apprentices in state-funded capital projects. Comprehensive pre-apprenticeship programs help participants gain admission to apprenticeship programs, which provide a greater opportunity to obtain employment in the construction trades and secure long-term employment.

A total of $13 million for the program’s second year will expand access to the program across the state and will serve up to 1,400 pre-apprentices – a 40% increase from the program’s inaugural year. With the support of Belt, a total of nearly $700,000 will be coming to Teens Against Killing Everywhere and Southwestern Illinois College in the Metro East.

“College isn’t for everyone — there’s other options for successful careers paths out there,” Belt said. “Uplifting the trades industry, especially in underserved communities, is a win for all. This key investment will expand access for residents interested in starting a career in the trades.”

Participants of the program attend tuition-free and receive a stipend and other supportive, barrier reduction services to help enter the construction industry. Upon completion of the program, pre-apprentices receive industry aligned certifications to prepare and qualify them to continue to a registered apprenticeship program in one of the trades.

Information on the Illinois Works Pre-Apprenticeship Program can be found here.

EAST ST. LOUIS – To express love and lift the spirits of local seniors, State Senator Christopher Belt is collecting store bought or handmade cards to deliver to long-term care facility residents for Valentine’s Day.

“It’s important for us to take time out of our day to show appreciation for people in our community,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “A little act of kindness can go a long way and make someone’s day. Let’s show our seniors that we appreciate them.”

Belt is collecting store bought and handmade cards for local seniors. People are encouraged to write kind notes and drop them off or mail them to his district office, located at Kenneth Hall Regional Office Bldg. #10 Collinsville Ave., Suite 201A, East St. Louis, IL 62201. He is collecting cards until Feb. 10 and then will deliver them to local long-term care facilities.

People with questions can reach out to Belt’s office at 618-875-1212.

SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Christopher Belt was sworn into office Wednesday for another term in the Illinois Senate.

“With the start of the 103^rd General Assembly, I will continue fighting for the residents of the 57^th District,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “I will continue to address the challenges facing the people of the Metro East to better their daily lives and I am proud to be their voice in Springfield for another term.”

Belt has represented the 57^th District since 2019. The district includes parts of St. Clair and Madison Counties and includes communities such as East St. Louis, Belleville and Scott Air Force Base.

Belt has championed a number of legislative solutions, such as expanding the organ donor registry, banning burning of toxic chemicals, providing feminine hygiene products at homeless shelters and ensuring students are fed at school. As a former school board member and chair of the Senate Education Committee, Belt remains a strong advocate for students and teachers across Illinois. He plans to continue to fight for increased investment in Illinois’ education system and uplift the education profession for teachers.

Belt strives to keep constituents updated with helpful information and resources, and encourages people to reach out to his office at 618-875-1212 or SenatorBelt.com/ContactUs with questions and concerns.

This week marks the start of the 103^rd General Assembly.

SPRINGFIELD – After months of negotiations and hours of conversations in working groups, State Senator Christopher Belt supported two measures that would protect Illinois communities and ensure everyone has access to reproductive health care.

Belt favored House Bill 5471, which would ban assault weapons, high-capacity magazines, and rapid-fire devices.

“We can’t sit back and hope mass shootings will stop,” said Belt (D-Swansea). “I would not have supported other proposals that take away rights from law abiding gun owners. We have worked for months to find the best solution and that’s why I supported this measure. This legislation is a middle ground that retains access for law enforcement to continue protecting our neighborhoods and gets weapons of war off our streets and out of the hands of bad actors.”

The measure accelerates implementation of background checks for person-to-person sales and extends the duration of the Firearm Restraining Order to up to one year.

Belt also supported House Bill 4664, which would protect health care professionals in Illinois from restrictive laws from other states and for people who seek reproductive health care in Illinois.

“Providing access to health care, especially in underserved communities, is essential for the people of Illinois,” Belt said. “Health care is a fundamental right. Illinois has some of the most extensive reproductive health laws, but we can also be a safe haven for other states, like Missouri, to access this basic human right.”

In addition, the measure would allow birthday centers to provide clinical reproductive care and protect access to assisted reproductive technology, such as in vitro fertilization.

The Belt-supported measure prevents insurers from charging higher out-of-pocket costs when patients are forced to seek out-of-network provider care. The legislation also clarifies that abortion care coverage would include medication abortion with or without proof of pregnancy.

House Bill 5471 and House Bill 4664 passed the Senate and now head to the House for further consideration.