Metro East Sun

The St. Clair County Republican party is questioning Sen. Chris Belt’s motives as a state senator, and whether he is acting in the best interests of his constituents.

Illinois State Sen. Chris Belt (D-Cahokia Heights) recently drew criticism when it was uncovered that he held a superintendent position at Commonfields of Cahokia Public Water and Sewage District, a position that pays him $58,500 in taxpayer dollars, according to Belleville News-Democrat. The position is the only one in the company without a job description, and Belt has not answered questions about what he actually does at the company.

"Chris Belt has been ignoring his constituents since the day he was elected," Cheryl Mathews, Chairman of the St. Clair County Republican Party told Metro East Sun. "He refuses to answer their questions about his $58,500 salary from the Commonfields of Cahokia Public Water and Sewage District, and he's ignored calls to address flooding in the northwest corner of St. Clair County. Belt's refusal to respond to constituent's concerns regarding SB 311 is just the latest example. Residents of Illinois' 57th District deserve better."

Metro-east residents have raised concerns about SB 311, a bill backed by Ameren which is one of Illinois’ biggest energy utility companies, reported Belleville News-Democrat. The bill will potentially raise energy bills by $20 billion over 30 years. The bill is sponsored by Sen. Belt and State Rep. LaToya Greenwood (D-East St. Louis) and both lawmakers have received political contributions from Ameran.

"Illinois residents have been ignored and abandoned by Democrat State Representatives and State Senators," Matthews told Metro East Sun. "Illinois families and small businesses are suffering under the highest overall tax burden in the nation, and politicians like Chris Belt go to Springfield and consistently vote for higher taxes and increased regulations. St. Clair County residents deserve state representatives and state senators who will hold the line on taxes and make Illinois affordable again. "

Grassroots organization, The Illinois Opportunity Project issued a press release accusing Belt of being out of touch with the people in his district and not caring what they have to say, Metro East Sun reported.

“Sen. Belt’s behavior and attitude towards those he is supposed to serve is typical of many out-of-touch politicians in Illinois,” Mark Cavers, President of the Illinois Opportunity Project said, Metro East Sun reported. "Families and voters deserve a seat at the table, instead, they are ignored by an unresponsive government. Sen. Belt has shown they will always put special interests before people, especially when they are immune to the consequences of their bad policy decisions.”

In June 2020, Centreville residents filed a lawsuit against the Commonfields company over flooding issues and poor management of the area’s sewer system, Belleville News-Democrat reported. 

Belt was absent during the virtual town hall meeting in early March aimed at addressing Centreville’s flooding issues, and was also absent from meetings held by the Centreville Citizens for Change, a group of residents seeking solutions to the flooding.