Quad Cities Chamber Blog

When we announced the 2022 Regional Advocacy Priorities it came with a commitment that we’d work tirelessly to advance and ensure the success of businesses throughout our region. You told us what was most important to you and we listened and took your voice to the state capitals in Illinois. Our collective, regional efforts lead to results, triumphs we should celebrate. And as always, there is more work to do but we are happy to provide this summary of wins for the QC and the traction we gained.

The Quad Cities Chamber launched the podcast, In the QC, to broaden our reach and yes, brag. QC, that’s where good people, with good ideas, achieve great things. Produced by the Chamber’s Marketing & Social Media Coordinator, Lindsay O’Brien, the podcast is now sharing the stories of our region, businesses, start-ups and creatives on a global platform.

More than 60 Quad Cities students made a commitment to their future at the High School Apprenticeship Signing Day event when they signed letters of intent with 19 employers in six fields of work. The students, who are enrolled in the Registered High School Apprenticeship Program (RHSAP), build technical and professional skills in the classroom and through on-the-job learning with partner companies, many of which are seeking to build their future workforce.

The spring session of the Illinois General Assembly concluded April 9. The Quad Cities Chamber along with Chambers All In for Economic Recovery Coalition remained active and engaged in all activities around our platform throughout the session. We celebrate the successes we achieved and recognize that advocacy is a process. We commit to continue our work to elevate the state’s business community in the weeks to come.

During the Quad Cities Chamber’s most recent Legislative Event, U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley outlined the many ways the federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) will benefit and enrich our region going forward.

The Quad Cities Chamber convened the first Women’s Business Council Meeting on April 5th, gathering 10 business owners to discuss their respective businesses and some of the challenges they are facing, including finding skilled workers and the disproportionate wage gap between men and women in the region as compared to state averages.

Mike Oberhaus, Interim CEO and Chief Strategy Officer for the Quad Cities Chamber, joined more than 120 business leaders from across the Quad Cities and throughout the Midwest at the St. Ambrose University (SAU) Innovation Summit: Building the Next Generation Workforce on April 7, 2022. SAU called the summit to learn how future teaching practices and curricular approaches can prepare students for the next generation of work.

The Quad Cities Chamber’s Illinois and Iowa lobbyists have a front-row view and insight into this year’s State legislative sessions, some of which they shared during our most recent event: Meet the Insiders. Dustin Miller, Iowa Lobbyist for the Chamber, provided facts and a historical perspective on the recently-passed tax reform bill. Matt Hughes, Illinois Lobbyist for the Chamber, provided a state budget update and discussed the unemployment insurance trust fund debt.

Kiva micro-loan crowdfunding is underway for Mawua Food Market, the first Quad Cities region business seeking assistance through the international platform that provides underrepresented business owners with access to small, zero-interest and zero-fee loans.

Our regional workforce is built, in part, on community college campuses. The impact Black Hawk College and Eastern Iowa Community Colleges have on our community is immense, and we are a stronger region for all they do.

U.S. House Rules Committee will meet on a pandemic aid package for restaurants, Illinois Senate Democrats unveiled a $1.8 billion tax cut proposal and the Iowa Senate approves a bill that would change the bottle bill law.

At the Quad Cities Chamber, the work we do with and for you each and every day is intentionally focused on propelling our region. The work we are doing together is not going unnoticed, especially by the media. See the latest headlines.

The federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will impact the region and economy in a way that will stretch far beyond runways and roads. During the most recent Legislative Event Series: Transportation & Infrastructure, our speakers provided insight on the plans, projects and potential for our region.

QC, that’s where we create innovative solutions to help parents find childcare and employers find workforce. Recently, the City of Moline announced a forgivable loan program to help expand local childcare programs. The City crafted this program as a vehicle to address economic recovery and spark additional growth knowing that an often overlooked aspect of workforce infrastructure is childcare.

Read a quick summary of federal and state legislative proposals and action, including the new proposed SEC rule on disclosing disclose climate-related risk, Illinois will use ARPA funds to reduce the unemployment insurance trust fund deficit and the Iowa House passes changes to unemployment benefits.

The Bison Bridge proposal to repurpose the Interstate 80 bridge over the Mississippi River into a wildlife crossing and pedestrian parkway is making its way through the Illinois House of Representatives.

In episode one of the Quad Cities Chamber podcast, In the QC, you’ll learn about our strategic goals and how our Business & Economic Growth, Talent and Inclusion and Placemaking teams are working to advance our region. And our leaders will share with you what they see on the horizon.

The story of what makes the QC so great must be told, and we hope you will listen. Very soon, the Chamber will be launching “In the QC,” a podcast that will dive into conversations with individuals who illustrate what makes our region so unique. Watch for the first episode.

Your Government Affairs team at the Quad Cities Chamber has been quite busy this legislative session. We've discussed Iowa tax reform with policymakers in Des Moines, urged Illinois lawmakers to make repayment of the Unemployment Trust Fund a priority, and continue to closely follow proposals and bills making their way through the House and Senate in each state.

IGNITE, a new micro-credential program to be launched by Black Hawk College (BHC) this fall will introduce high school students and adult learners to Advanced Manufacturing and Industry 4.0 skills, careers and the many opportunities available to them. In turn, manufacturers across the region have an opportunity to actively partner in building a sustainable workforce for the future.