QUAD CITIES (January 29, 2019) — A competitive business climate, support for economic growth, and investment in infrastructure, education, and workforce top the list of issues the Quad Cities Chamber of Commerce will push with legislators in 2019.
“Workforce development, appropriate economic development incentives, and lessening property tax burden are the main issues affecting Quad Cities Chamber members,” says Paul Rumler, president and CEO, Quad Cities Chamber. “We’ll continue to work with our legislators to push these priorities.”
“The Chamber’s public policy platform is reflective and focused on the needs of our members. We survey our members to determine what businesses need to improve and grow in our region,” says Tyler Power, government affairs manager, Quad Cities Chamber.
State of Illinois Priorities
Business Climate and Economic Competitiveness:
Worker’s Compensation
- Illinois consistently ranks highest among states for worker's compensation insurance rates. The Chamber urges members of the General Assembly to pass meaningful reforms to lower the cost to do business in Illinois.
Protecting Economic Development Incentives
- Economic incentives are crucial to attract new businesses and expand businesses. We ask the General Assembly to protect incentives like Historic Tax Credit, Economic Development for a Growing Economy (EDGE) tax credit and Enterprise Zone tax credits to continue to grow our region.
Reduce Overall Property Tax Burden on Businesses
- When surveyed, Quad Cities Chamber members shared their main concern holding them back from expanding is property taxes. The Chamber stands ready to work with our elected officials to reduce the overall property tax burden on businesses.
Education and Workforce Readiness:
Expansion of Higher Education
- Workforce development is, by far, the number-one issue to our members. Along with fully-funding Phase III of Western Illinois University — Quad Cities (WIU-QC), we ask the legislature to increase spending for higher education to prepare the next generation workforce.
- Last session, the General Assembly took the first step in eliminating per pupil funding inequity in K-12 education. Our members believe this to be a critical issue in ensuring college and workforce readiness and ask that another appropriation be designated to further closing this equity gap.
Transportation and Infrastructure, Quality of Place:
Capital Funding Legislation
- Members have expressed the importance of reinvesting into our community. We ask the legislature to fully-fund Phase III of WIU-QC, Quad Cities-Chicago Passenger Rail, I-74 / John Deere ROAD interchange, and I-80 Bridge.
Complete Quad Cities-Chicago Passenger Rail Project
- Quad Cities Chamber members ranked transit as their second-most important transportation issue, after roads. We are committed to completing the Passenger Rail project between the Quad Cities and Chicago.
State of Iowa Priorities
Business Climate and Economic Competitiveness:
Protecting Economic Development Incentives
- Economic incentives are crucial to attract new businesses and expand businesses. We ask the Iowa legislature to maintain the current status of economic development incentives, like Tax Increment Financing (TIF) and the Iowa Historic Tax Credit. TIF is a tool used to attract and retain expanding businesses in our area while the Historic Tax Credit is used to revitalize buildings that are being repurposed throughout our region.
Reduce Overall Property Tax Burden on Businesses
- When surveyed, Quad Cities Chamber members shared their main concern holding them back from expanding is property taxes. The Chamber stands ready to work with our elected officials to reduce the overall property tax burden on businesses.
Education and Workforce Readiness:
Increase Spending of Workforce Development and Education
- Workforce development was the top issue for our membership. We ask the Iowa Legislature to increase appropriations to Iowa Workforce Development (IWD).
- The Chamber asks the Iowa Legislators to expand Future Ready Iowa and push for meaningful, and equitable, K-12 education funding reform to help prepare our next generation workforce. Having a world-class education system is vital to the growth of our businesses and region.
Chamber Members Help Advocate
The Quad Cities Chamber will host a series of events during which members of the business community can engage with policymakers. “In 2019 we are reshaping the quality of opportunities we create for members to encourage legislation that will help our economy and community continue to grow,” says Power. “We are increasing the frequency of opportunities and offering more intimate meetings with elected officials focused on specific business issues. With more trips and newly established coffee meetings, members will have more access to lawmakers and participate in quality conversations with decision makers.”
The first event kicks off from 8:30-10AM on Friday, February 22, 2019, at Element Hotel in Moline, Illinois. Additional details on events will be announced as they are confirmed including the DC Fly-In, state advocacy trips, and governors’ addresses.
Advocacy Successes
In 2018, the Quad Cities Chamber was successful in advancing several key legislative priorities including, passing a budget and increasing overall K-12 education spending in Illinois, as well preserving Historic Tax Credits and TIF incentives in Iowa.
“The strength of the Chamber’s advocacy efforts is powered by thousands of companies acting as one, we will continue to build on our efforts that over the years have resulted in many community priorities gaining substantial support from the local, state and federal governments,” says Power. “We can always use more voices and I would encourage anyone interested in advocacy to join us in our efforts.”
For more information visit QuadCitiesChamber.com/public-policy.
About: The Quad Cities Chamber is a champion for business and community growth in the region.
