Priorities and policies that bring new housing and improve business growth, quality of place, workforce retention and talent development top the Quad Cities Chamber’s Illinois, Iowa and local government 2025 Legislative Agenda.
With this year’s version of the annual list of regional priorities, the chamber of commerce aims to strengthen the bi-state region, enhance quality of life and position the Quad Cities as a place where people want to live, build careers and raise families, the organization said in a news release.
That agenda seeks to drive those critical goals – which include building more houses in the region and attracting and retaining talent – and shape the region’s discussions with policymakers at all levels.
The chamber also announced it will again host a series of 2025 legislative events. That’s where Quad Citians will hear from state legislators and city leaders about what’s happening in the Illinois General Assembly and the Iowa Legislature.
Attendees are asked to come prepared with questions at these open Q&A forums. They will kick off on Friday, Jan. 17, and run through Friday, April 25, according to the chamber release. See a complete list of dates, times, locations and topics below.
Chambers leaders also are planning the Quad Cities annual legislative trips to the Iowa State Capitol on Feb. 11-12; the Illinois State Capitol on March 5-6; and Washington, D.C., from April 8-11. Contact [email protected] if you’re interested in attending any of the trips.
While there and here at home, chamber leaders are expected to lobby for policies and legislation that will promote the following list of priorities that make up the Quad Cities Chamber’s 2025 Legislative Agenda.
Illinois Priorities
Featured Priorities:
- Deliver new funding for housing and quality of life in the Quad Cities region.
- Support continued investment in site-readiness and incentives that align with regional priorities.
Workforce:
- Support continued and growing investment in childcare availability and affordability.
- Support investment in four-year, community and technical colleges that serve the Quad Cities region.
- Support efforts to address issues with the Illinois workers’ compensation system.
- Support increased funding for the employee training investment program and Job Training and Economic Development program.
Taxes & Incentives:
- Support the repeal of Illinois COVID-19-era Net Operating Loss cap.
- Extend authorization for River Edge Zone Historic Tax Credit program.
- Support expansion of business improvement district legislation to include the Quad Cities.
- Support creation of new tools to drive investment into grayfield sites.
Iowa Priorities
Featured Priority:
- Promote reorientation of state economic development incentives to focus on capital investment, innovation, site-readiness and talent attraction.
Workforce:
- Support and promote implementation of new Work-Based Learning legislation.
- Support funding for four-year, community and technical colleges with a presence in the Quad Cities.
- Support maintaining and growing the Iowa Tuition Grant.
- Grow investment in 260F and maintain 260G, 260E and the new jobs tax credit.
- Grow investment in childcare availability and affordability.
- Grow investment in amenity development through programs such as Destination Iowa and Community Attraction and Tourism grants.
Taxes & Incentives:
- Maintain and enhance developer incentives.
- Support continued implementation of responsible income tax reductions for pass-through entities and corporations.
Transportation & Infrastructure:
- Support Iowa’s participation in the Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Compact and efforts to extend passenger rail through the Quad Cities region.
- Maintain and grow investment in multi-modal infrastructure in the Quad Cities region.
- Monitor changes in the utility regulatory environment.
Regulation:
- Encourage a light-touch regulatory approach that emphasizes stability, predictability and fairness.
Local Priorities
Featured priorities:
- Reduce the housing deficit by supporting the development of housing at all price points.
Regulation:
- Encourage regulatory stability, simplification and fairness.
- Promote alignment of building codes and other local regulations among Quad Cities municipalities to reduce the complexity of doing business in the region.
- Engage with municipalities as they develop and update their comprehensive plans and land use ordinances to ensure cities are well-positioned for growth.
Transportation & Infrastructure:
- Support transportation connectedness within and between municipalities.
- Promote implementation of complete streets throughout communities.
Workforce:
- Collaborate with local governments to provide input on amenity investments meant to attract and retain talent 62% of businesses say focus more on vibrant downtowns and riverfronts.
Taxes & Incentives:
- Promote creative use and expansion of incentives for industrial and mixed-use development.
- Promote business-friendly property taxes at all levels.
Legislative Event Series
Quad Citizens are invited to talk to lawmakers and local leaders about those and other issues at one or more of its scheduled 2025 Quad Cities Chamber forums. The cost for the events is $20 for members and $35 non members. Each one kicks off breakfast and networking time.
The series currently includes these events:
- Iowa Legislative Kickoff Forum – 7:30-9 a.m., Friday, Jan. 17, St. Ambrose University – Rogalski Center, Davenport.
- Illinois Legislative Kickoff Forum – 7:30-9 a.m., Friday, Jan. 24, Bally’s Quad Cities, Rock Island.
- Quad Cities Mayors Breakfast – 7:30-9 a.m., Friday, Feb. 21, Rhythm City Casino, Davenport.
- Iowa Mid-Session Forum – 7:30-9 a.m., Friday, March 28, St. Ambrose University.
- Illinois Mid-Session Forum – 7:30-9 a.m., Bally’s Quad Cities.
The chamber’s Annual Legislative Event Series is sponsored by AM General, Arconic, Constellation and The Associated General Contractors of the Quad Cities.
