Illinois state Sen. Chris Belt (D-Centreville) | http://www.senatorbelt.com/
Illinois state Sen. Chris Belt (D-Centreville) | http://www.senatorbelt.com/
Chicago, IL- The Illinois Opportunity Project released the following statement on Senator Christopher Belt’s (D-Cahokia) suspicious paid position at Commonfields of Cahokia Public Water and Sewage District as reported by the Belleville News-Democrat:
“Residents and local media watchdogs are right to question Sen. Belt’s two taxpayer-funded salaries. The average income in Cahokia is $30,000, yet families are paying Sen. Belt $127,500 across his two government jobs,” said Mark Cavers, president of the Illinois Opportunity Project.
According to a Belleville News-Democrat report, Sen. Belt is paid $58,500 as the superintendent at the Commonfields of Cahokia Public Water and Sewage District despite being the only employee without a job description. Additionally, Sen. Belt is paid $69,000 as a state legislator.
“The absentee senator doesn’t have time to attend meetings on Centreville’s flooding issues, but we now know he is being paid a second salary for a second government job,” said Cavers. “Residents deserve transparency, accountability, and ethical government, and that starts with Sen. Belt answering questions about his dual roles.”
The report into Sen. Belt’s employment is the latest ethical question mark for a Democratic Party racked by scandal. Sen. Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park) was recently indicted for embezzlement, former Sen. Terry Link (D-Gurnee) was indicted on tax evasion charges, and former Speaker of the House Michael Madigan is at the center of an FBI bribery investigation.
“From Gov. Pritzker to Speaker Madigan to Sen. Belt, Illinois Democrats are giving voters plenty of reasons not to trust them,” said Mark Cavers. “Families of all backgrounds want honest, effective government that serves their interests. The current politicians in power have shown no interest in providing a government that serves the people.”
The Illinois Opportunity Project is a grassroots organization that believes that empowering and organizing people around our shared values and free-market principles is the most impactful way to change our State and strengthen our communities. More information can be found at www.illinoisopportunity.org.
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