A public-private regional partnership, passenger rail, the Rock Island Arsenal, business growth, workforce and quality of place development are among the top priorities on the Quad Cities Chamber’s 2024 legislative agenda.
The chamber detailed its 2024 Legislative priorities last week along with a new Bill Tracker on the chamber’s website to help Quad Cities businesses keep track of legislation that is being proposed that could affect their businesses.
The chamber also announced it has opened registration for its Legislative Event Series, sponsored by Arconic and AM General. The series provides an in-depth look at the chamber’s advocacy efforts to help expand and grow businesses and our region.
The sessions are a chance to meet the elected officials who make decisions for our QC region, the chamber said. The sessions are scheduled for:
- Fri. Jan. 19 – Iowa Legislative Kickoff Forum
- Fri. Jan. 26 – Illinois Legislative Kickoff Forum
- Fri. Feb. 9 – Quad Cities Mayors Breakfast
- Fri. Mar. 22 – Iowa Mid-Session Forum
- Fri. Apr. 26 – Illinois Mid-Session Forum
This year, the chamber and community leaders also will travel to the capitols to advocate for the region’s business. It will be in Des Moines on Feb. 6, Washington D.C. on March 5-6, and Springfield on Mar. 20. Participants will engage with policymakers and experts, advocate for the needs of the region, and build partnerships to accomplish those goals.
Members shape priorities
The chamber creates a legislative priorities list each year. According to the chamber, the 2024 Legislative Agenda priorities listed below were “shaped by the one-on-one conversations we’ve had with business and community leaders, on-site visits and business tours, discussions at chamber events and committee meetings and a survey of members.”
From that, the chamber said in a news release that it created a list designed to directly impact the growth and strength of the region. “While we advocate on your behalf, we need you at the table, too,” the organization said. “Working together, we can create a prosperous region where all can thrive.”
Going forward, the Quad Cities business advocacy agency will use the agenda to lobby for and promote the area’s top priorities to lawmakers at the state, local and federal levels.
“During the legislative session, our Legislative Agenda will guide the conversations we have with federal, state and local policymakers,” Ryan Sempf, the chamber’s executive director – government affairs, said in the release. “We look forward to working in partnership with our elected officials to accelerate prosperity and growth for the QC region.”
The long-term goals for the coming year, which are the same at the local, state legislative and national levels are:
- Regional Public-Private Partnership.
- Passenger Rail from Chicago to the Quad Cities.
- Rock Island Arsenal
QC’s federal priorities
The 2024 federal legislative priorities are:
Business & Economic Growth –
- Protect, enhance and improve programs to support economic development, business attraction and business retention.
- Promote a stable, predictable and fair regulatory environment.
- Promote a business-friendly tax environment.
- Extend key provisions of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act including opportunity zones and the Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction.
Quality of Place –
- Maximize funding opportunities through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act.
- Encourage federal support for lock & dam enhancements on the Mississippi River.
Workforce & Talent Development –
- Advocate for bipartisan solutions to immigration to increase the total workforce available to U.S. employers.
- Address persistent barriers to employment including childcare, housing and transportation.
- Support increased funding and flexibility for Pell Grants.
Illinois QC’s priorities
The region’s Illinois legislative priorities include:
Business & Economic Growth –
- Promote tax and incentive reforms that level the playing field on both sides of the river.
- Promote a stable, predictable and fair regulatory environment.
- Support policies that advance clean, reliable energy sources.
Quality of Place –
- Advocate for continued support of placemaking and amenity development.
- Promote programs that incentivize redevelopment and restoration of blighted neighborhoods.
- Enhance legislation for business improvement districts.
- Maximize funding from the bipartisan infrastructure law and inflation reduction act.
Workforce & Talent Development –
- Address persistent barriers to employment in a sustainable manner including childcare, transportation and housing.
- Promote enhanced support for second-chance employment.
- Maximize funding and flexibility for all levels of education (PreK-12, trades, two- and four-year college).
- Expand bi-state training and certification reciprocity.
Iowa QC’s priorities
Iowa legislative priorities on the chamber agenda are:
Business & Economic Growth –
- Protect and enhance economic development programs.
- Promote a business-friendly tax environment.
- Promote a stable, predictable and fair regulatory environment.
- Support policies to advance clean and reliable energy sources.
Quality of Place
- Continue funding for tourism and amenity development programs.
- Promote new programs to incentivize or support investment in amenities and neighborhoods.
- Maximize funding from the bipartisan infrastructure law and inflation reduction act.
Workforce & Talent Development –
- Address persistent barriers to employment in a sustainable manner including childcare, transportation, and housing.
- Promote enhanced support for second-chance employment.
- Maximize funding and flexibility for all levels of education (PreK-12, trades, 2 and 4-year college).
- Expand bi-state training and certification reciprocity.
Local QC priorities
Business & Economic Growth –
- Create grants for small, local businesses with an emphasis on low-income census tracts.
- Promote regulatory stability, predictability and fairness.
- Encourage planning for long-term growth.
Quality of Place –
- Support the development of amenities within all downtowns and on the riverfront.
- Support the implementation of complete streets in the urban core and throughout communities.
- Promote redevelopment and revitalization of blighted neighborhoods.
Workforce & Talent Development –
- Promote housing availability at all price levels.
- Improve transportation connectedness within and between municipalities.
- Support efforts to improve schools across the QC region.
For more information, visit quadcitieschamber.com.
