Chamber legislative update

The Quad Cities Chamber team is actively monitoring legislation and advocating for our Regional Advocacy Priorities to support our region. See the bill tracking page for a complete list of the legislation we are monitoring, supporting and opposing.

Federal: 

• The U.S. House of Representatives on Saturday passed the American Rescue Plan, a $1.9 trillion relief package that includes $1,400 stimulus checks to individuals; a $400 weekly federal unemployment bonus; tens of billions of dollars in aid for small businesses and nonprofits; and funding to distribute vaccines. The legislation now awaits approval by the U.S. Senate.  

Illinois

• Gov. Pritzker announced $11 million in Rebuild Illinois Capital Grants, including $597,500 for demolition and site preparation for YWCA of the Quad Cities.  
• Gov. Pritzker signed HB 4276, extending protections for first responders and frontline essential workers impacted by COVID-19.

New Illinois legislation we’re tracking:

• SB 2268 delays the $15 minimum wage increase one year.
• SB 2084 provides that excess EDGE credits may be carried forward for 15 years (currently 5 years).
• HB 3335 provides that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity shall conduct a study on the advantages, disadvantages and feasibility of making each tax credit in the state transferable. 
• HB 3242 allows for the revocation of tax credits if a company is found to have engaged in reckless conduct causing environmental damage that seriously endangers public health or welfare.

Iowa

This week marks the first funnel week of this legislative session, meaning all policy bills need to be out of committees in order to be considered for the rest of the year. 

• Governor Reynolds signed SF 269, including an education spending increase and public school funding approval.
• The House passed several childcare bills, including:   
  • HF 230, which increases the income threshold for a Child Care Tax Credit from $45,000 to $90,000.
  • HF 370, which creates an incentive for employers to provide child care for their employees by providing a tax credit of up to $150,000.
  • HF 302, which creates an “off-ramp” from the Child Care Assistance program so parents can continue to grow in their career without losing their child care assistance entirely, all at once. 
• HSB 203 passed the House Labor Committee this week and instituted a one-week waiting period for a person to receive unemployment benefits. 
• SF 390, which would expand broadband over the next three years, passed through subcommittee and the full Senate; it is eligible for the Senate floor. 
• SF 295 and HF 582, which would increase workforce housing tax credits; establish a housing tax credit program; expand redevelopment tax credits; create disaster recovery housing assistance; support main street revitalization efforts; and support the state housing trust fund passed through committees in each chamber and have been referred to the Ways and Means committees for further consideration.

Local

Iowa Quad Cities voters on March 2 approved two separate ballot initiatives supporting education and career readiness. 

• A $40 million bond referendum for Eastern Iowa Community Colleges (EICC) to build and expand facilities that support the improvement of Career and Technical Education (CTE) programming
• Revenue Purpose Statements in Bettendorf, Pleasant Valley and North Scott community school districts