The Moline Human Rights Commission is seeking input from residents in an effort to identify – and ultimately address – issues of inequality, discrimination or other challenges to inclusivity and rights that may be outstanding in the community. The seven-member committee, appointed by Mayor Sangeetha Rayapati in the fall of 2021, has created a Moline Human Rights Community Questionnaire that is available on the city’s website and social media platforms. The questionnaire asks respondents to share their experiences in areas such as equal opportunity in employment, housing and other services... Read More

Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) released the following statement on President Joe Biden’s emergency action to allow summer sales of E15 to help reduce gas prices. E15 is currently selling for up to 60 cents cheaper per gallon than traditional gasoline. “With Putin’s price hike driving high gas prices nationwide, it’s essential that we take action to cut prices at the pump. Today’s emergency action from President Biden to allow summer sales for E15 is the right choice for consumers, family farmers and our rural communities,” said Congresswoman Bustos. “By blending our fuel with... Read More

A relationship, developed through a love of music and culture, has led to a unique ensemble gathering at Western Illinois University for a three-day residency in May to record a significant, sacred work by an African American composer. WIU Director of Jazz Studies John Cooper, and his wife, Gayle, have a long friendship with Sharon Reed, the founder and artistic director of the Heritage Ensemble community choir in Peoria, IL. Through her research into music composed by African American artists, Reed discovered works by Glenn Burleigh, an Oklahoma composer who not only published his own pieces,... Read More

U.S. Army officials will formally dedicate the U.S. Army Health Clinic at Rock Island Arsenal, Illinois, on Thursday, April 14 at 10 a.m. The clinic will be known as the Woodson Health Clinic, in honor of a World War II medic who served with First Army and saved countless lives during the Allied Invasion of Normandy.  Staff Sgt. Waverly B. Woodson, a Medal of Honor nominee, was assigned to the 320th Barrage Balloon Battalion, the Army’s only African American unit to storm the beach on D-Day.  According to congressional records, at about 9:30 a.m. on June 6, 1944, Woodson was headed ashore aboard... Read More

Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) joined Representatives Angie Craig (MN-02), David Scott (GA-13) and Cindy Axne (IA-03) in a statement responding to the Biden Administration’s recent decision to rescind 31 oil refineries’ previously-granted waivers from biofuel blending requirements. In the statement, the Members applauded the Administration’s denial of Small Refinery Exemptions as a step in the right direction, while noting their disappointment that the facilities wouldn’t be required to purchase compliance credits or blend biofuels to fulfill their 2018 obligations. “Last Thursday’s... Read More

U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa will speak at the Quad Cities Chamber’s Legislative Event at Rhythm City Casino Resort, Davenport, on Tuesday, April 12 from 3:45 – 4:45 p.m. Businesses are invited to attend to gain insights on current federal policies that may impact their business. Sen. Grassley will discuss his support for infrastructure investment followed by a Q&A session with the audience. The Quad Cities Chamber facilitates business growth to help create a prosperous regional economy where all can thrive. Its work is focused in three strategic areas: business and economic growth;... Read More

MACOMB/MOLINE, IL – When Guiyou Huang started his tenure as Western Illinois University’s 12th president in January 2021, one of his core initiatives was to further the University’s diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and efforts. Huang has created a new Anti-Racism Task Force (ARTF), composed of approximately 22 faculty, staff, students from both campuses, as well as community members. The task force recently held its first meeting, which included training presentations from Jessica C. Harris, vice chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Southern Illinois... Read More

IowaWORKS, 1801A East Kimberly Road, Davenport, will be hosting the following employers for hiring events during the week of April 11. Employers are as follows: Monday, April 11—RJK – 1 pm until 4 pm — Hiring for: Grain Processing Wednesday,  April 13—Davenport Team Staffing – 1 pm until 4 pm — Hiring for: Production Associate— Electrical Maintenance Engineer—Forklift Operators—Welder—Entry Level Machine Operator—Paralegal — and more  Thursday, April 14—Per Mar –9 am until 12:30 pm — Hiring for: Campus Security — Flex Security— Special... Read More

Fourth generation owner Steve Blondell has retired after 41 years and decided to close Illinois’ Blondell Plumbing after 120 years in the community. Although Steve has run the company for two decades, the history of Blondell Plumbing goes back four generations to 1902. It was originally founded as Swanson Plumbing by Victor Swanson, Steve’s great-grandfather. Victor’s daughter, Marion, purchased the business from her father in 1941, changing the name to Blondell Plumbing. Steve’s father, Walt, later bought the business in the mid-’60s, and Steve bought out his father in 2002. “It’s... Read More

Applications for our last filmmaking project – Scripted Short Films presented by Sony Pictures – are open now through April 15th and we would love for your youth to join us! Our last filmmaking project of the year is a teen favorite so we have included a program email below that you can easily forward to your students! Make your own Short Film starting April 21st! If you want to make movies, then you won’t want to miss our final weekly filmmaking project, Scripted Short Films, presented by Sony Pictures. Starting April 21st, you’ll work on producing, filming and editing... Read More