Government Affairs update: vaccine mandates, IA/IL legislative maps

Employer vaccine mandates 

During the last month, veto sessions in Springfield and Des Moines brought forth new laws related to COVID-19 vaccination mandates and the responsibilities of employers.  

In Iowa, Gov. Reynolds signed HF 902, stating that employers who require employees to get a COVID-19 vaccine shall also allow for exemptions related to an employee’s religious beliefs or if receiving the vaccine would be injurious to the employee or someone living with the employee. The legislation also provides that an employee terminated for refusing to get a COVID-19 vaccine cannot be disqualified from unemployment benefits for such reason. An employee terminated for refusal will not count against the employer’s unemployment insurance rates.  

Additionally, Gov. Reynolds joined nine other states in a lawsuit challenging President Biden’s vaccine mandate for all workers employed by a federal contractor. 

The Illinois Legislature also addressed employer vaccine requirements last week by amending the Health Care Right of Conscience Act (HCRCA). Illinois SB 1169 amended the HCRCA to protect employers from civil suits if they enforce COVID vaccine or testing mandates. The legislation does not go into effect until June 1, 2022. Employers that reject objections based on HCRCA prior to June 1, 2022 carry a risk of litigation.  

Legislative maps 

Last week, the Illinois General Assembly approved and passed a new congressional redistricting plan. Due to population loss since the 2010 census. The new plan divides the state into 17 districts, instead of its current 18. The new borders of the 17th District include the Quad Cities, Rockford, Galena, Savannah, Clinton, Galesburg, Peoria, and Bloomington. 

The Iowa House and Senate also approved a new set of state legislative and congressional maps. The Quad Cities will now be in Congressional District 1. Congresswoman Miller-Meeks announced her intention to run, however, the new maps draw her out of Eastern Iowa and into District 3 with Congresswoman Cindy Axne.  

Iowa initiatives to address childcare shortage

Today, Gov. Reynolds announced new investments in childcare:

• Implementation of a childcare management system  
  This statewide, web-based platform will enable providers to leverage a shared services model for many business operations such as administrative tasks, group purchasing and professional development. This system will be available in 2022. 
• Creation of a “Best Place for Working Parents” designation   
  This designation will recognize employers that go above and beyond to accommodate their employees with children. This program will begin in January 2022.  
• Additional $10 million in funding for the Child Care Challenge Grant Program  
  Grants are for the expansion of existing childcare facilities or the construction of new centers to increase the number of childcare slots available.
• $100,000 for integrated model of child care and preschool learning opportunities  
  Grants to advance planning efforts for blended childcare and preschool learning opportunities.  
• $200 million for funding stabilization grants for financial loss due to the pandemic  
  The Iowa Department of Human Services is providing up to $200 million in federal funding to assist eligible childcare providers who can verify financial loss due to the pandemic.

Election recap 

Iowa Quad Citizens went to the polls yesterday to cast their vote during the 2021 municipal elections. With all precincts reporting, Davenport Mayor Mike Matson was re-elected, residents of Muscatine elected Brad Bark as their new mayor and voters in Eldridge selected Frank King as their mayor.  

A full recap of election results:

• Scott County election results
• Muscatine County election results

Quad Cities Chamber public policy survey results

Thank you to everyone who responded to the Chamber's 2022 public policy survey. Responses will help inform our Regional Advocacy Priorities for the 2022 legislative sessions in Illinois and Iowa.  

A majority of respondents (49%) stated employment and workforce issues will be their top concern. Sixty-five percent of respondents cited lack of qualified applicants as the number one issue in finding workforce, specifying lack of essential skills and training. Following the results of the survey, it is clear our businesses want us to advocate for solutions to the workforce shortage our region and the entire nation is experiencing.  

While the 2022 Regional Advocacy Priorities will be released in early December, we wanted to share where we are headed. This year, we are paring down our priorities to focus on 2-3 key issues. Considering 2022 will be an election year, we anticipate shortened sessions with legislators splitting time between legislating and campaigning. With guidance from the Chamber Board, we will be focusing our top priorities on workforce, infrastructure and placemaking.  

The Chamber will continue to take positions on bills related to a wide range of issues identified in prior advocacy priorities, especially ones that have already seen traction in the legislatures. The goal in drafting the 2022 Regional Advocacy Priorities will be to strengthen our workforce, help us bounce back from COVID and support the ideas that help make the Quad Cities a destination with a prosperous regional economy.