Christopher Belt announced his candidacy for Illinois’ 57th Senate district on the democratic ticket.
Belt, a resident of Cahokia, is Board President for Cahokia Unit School District #187, precinct committeeman of Centreville 5 and an 18-year law enforcement veteran.
“As president of Cahokia Unit School District #187 for the last two years, I know firsthand the struggles of trying to operate a school district that provides a quality education to all of its students when the district does not receive adequate funding from the state – it is virtually impossible to do so,” Belt stated in a press release.
As part of his campaign, Belt pledged to fight on behalf of the residents who comprise the 57th Senate district, focusing on fairly funded quality education, safe neighborhoods and communities, dependable family-sustaining jobs and access to affordable and exceptional healthcare.
“I want to go to Springfield to represent these issues for my community and I am prepared to work hard and work with integrity to build relationships across the aisle in the hopes of creating a more vigorous local economy that will create a stronger and vibrant Illinois,” Belt stated.
Belt worked in the St. Clair County Probation and Detention department for 16 years and spent two years with the state of Illinois as the Regional Deputy Administrator of Aftercare (formerly Juvenile parole) for the Central and Southern Regions of Illinois.
Belt opposes making Illinois a right to work state, stating that he grew up in a union household. His father owned a construction company and his brothers were all union members. His sister is a 27-year member of the Fraternal Order of Police.
Belt is also a strong proponent of affordable healthcare.
“I know all too well the burden of being saddled with the cost of medical bills due to illness. Seven years ago, I was blessed to receive a kidney transplant; however, prior to the transplant, I did a year on dialysis. And while dialysis was necessary for me, it was devastating financially,” he stated. “No one should have to choose between lifesaving health care and keeping their family afloat. We have a moral obligation to demand better for the people of the state of Illinois.”
In his spare time, Belt is a children’s author and has published the character/safety education book, “The Adventures of Nate the Gnat.”