Post election recap: Chamber discusses impact of election on business priorities

National races

In 2025, Washington will have a different dynamic at the top. Former President Trump won the Electoral College with 312 Electors, Republicans will retake the Senate by a 53-47 or 52-48 margin and House control will come down to a few outstanding races that have not been called as we write this update.

Illinois Congressman Eric Sorensen defeated his opponent, Joe McGraw. We look forward to continuing our partnership with the Congressman.

Iowa Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks’s race vs. challenger Christina Bohannan has not been called by the Associated Press yet; once that result is finalized, we look forward to working with whomever represents Iowa’s First Congressional District.

Key policy impacts

• As we look ahead to next year, extension of key provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is more likely with a return of the Republican trifecta that passed the original legislation. Key decisions for Congress will include how to pay for the near $4 trillion deficit that a straight extension will create. The Quad Cities Chamber will look to work with our local business leaders to ensure provisions that impact the QC region remain in the final bill.
• We also aim to continue working with our congressmen to support site readiness funding. While this ask may take on a different form with a Republican trifecta, we will continue advocating for resources to make the Quad Cities an attractive destination for private sector investment.
• We are also tracking conversations around potential tariffs that were discussed at length during the campaign.

Iowa State races

All Iowa Quad Cities incumbent representatives won reelection except for Luana Stoltenberg, who did not seek a return to the State House. Dan Gosa will represent House District 81 after running unopposed for the open seat. In the Iowa House, Republicans gained representation, winning a 67-33 majority after holding a 64-36 majority after the 2022 midterms. In the Iowa Senate, Republicans increased their majority from 34-16 to 35-15.

Key policy impacts

• With the continuation of Republican leadership in the House, Senate and Governorship we anticipate focus remaining on lower taxes and a business-friendly environment. We are keenly aware of the need to ensure incentives for economic development to stay competitive regardless of the overall tax climate, and are prepared to engage in that conversation with our legislators.
• We expect a difficult budget year with conversations around tax incentives for economic development and continued conversations and action on property taxes.

Illinois State races

Illinois saw few surprises, as the only contested race locally was won by incumbent Gregg Johnson. Quad Cities incumbents saw no changes except for Li Arellano Jr., who won the seat that State Senator Win Stoller will vacate next year. Arellano ran unopposed.

Key policy impacts

• With Illinois retaining Democratic control in the House, Senate and Governorship, we expect to see continued pressure placed on the business community through new regulatory proposals. We will continue engaging our membership to advocate against these. We anticipate elimination of the tipped wage credit to come back up next year. On a positive note, we also expect to see some movement on compromise changes to Illinois Worker’s Comp systems.
• Our local incumbents returning gives us the opportunity to continue our partnerships to deliver new funding for housing, quality of life and amenity investments, site readiness funding and economic development incentives that add important tools to revitalize our communities.

Local races

Scott County Board elections came down to a tight race. Incumbent Supervisor and Board Chair Ken Beck won the lion’s share of the votes, securing his reelection to the Board while Maria Bribriesco edged out Incumbent Rita Rawson by 83 votes. Beck and Bribriesco will serve new terms. Bribriesco replaces Rawson, who served on the Board as an appointee, meaning she will be sworn in the week of November 11.

There were no changes to the Rock Island County Board, as each candidate ran unopposed.

Municipal elections in Iowa take place in November 2025, while Illinois municipal elections take place in April 2025.

Key policy impacts

• Locally, the election had little impact on the composition of county boards, but larger impacts are likely in next year’s municipal elections. We will encourage every local entity to support housing development at all price points and push for local policies that make the entire Quad Cities a more business-friendly community.