Alongside your turkey, pumpkin pie, and mashed potatoes, should we expect to see masks once more at Thanksgiving dinner this year? It’s looking like it. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker talked to the media at an event to showcase him getting his covid-19 booster shot (Pfizer) and didn’t rule that out. Pritzker said there’s a possibility he might lift the statewide indoor mask mandate in time for the holidays, but he doesn’t see it happening any time soon. Given that there’s only three weeks until Thanksgiving, it’s not looking promising. “What we’re trying to evaluate... Read More

Genesis Medical Center-Davenport will continue to treat and care for trauma patients after being re-verified as a Level III Trauma Care Facility by the Iowa Department of Public Health’s (IDPH) Bureau of Emergency and Trauma Services. The reverification is for a three-year period. The Level III reverification means that the hospital has demonstrated an ability to provide prompt assessment, resuscitation, surgery, intensive care, and stabilization of injured patients and emergency operations. “We are pleased to be acknowledged for the quality trauma care that Genesis provides for our community,”... Read More

BREAKING: Illinois employers could very soon be allowed to fire employees who refuse to get vaccinated or comply with other covid-19 regulations. The Health Care Right of Conscience Act amendment bans employees from using their moral beliefs as a reason to refuse to comply with a workplace’s covid mandates, which could include mandatory vaccinations. The Illinois Senate voted 31-24 to approve the proposal late Thursday night. This measure passed out of the House on a 64-52-2 vote Wednesday. The new amendment now heads to Gov. JB Pritzker to be signed into the law, and it certainly looks... Read More

LATEST: Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds has signed a bill that would allow employees to escape employer covid mandates, including vaccination mandates, and allow greater use of medical and religious exemptions for people to refuse covid restrictions. On Friday night, Reynolds signed the bill, which the Iowa House and Senate had passed Thursday. It makes it tougher for businesses to require employees to be vaccinated or submit to other covid protocols such as regular testing. The bill gives greater leeway for employees to claim medical and religious exemptions against covid employer mandates and guarantees... Read More

Illinois employers could be allowed to fire employees who refuse to get vaccinated or comply with other covid-19 regulations if a new mandate from Governor JB Pritzker is implemented. The Health Care Right of Conscience Act amendment would not allow employees to use their moral beliefs as a reason to refuse to comply with a workplace’s covid mandates, which could include mandatory vaccinations. State legislators are expected to take up the measure this week. The Health Care Right of Conscience Act has actually been a law since 1998 and was driven by healthcare providers having moral objections... Read More

Four Downtown Bettendorf businesses will share in more than $30,000 awarded through the new Façade Improvement and Commercial Interior Improvement grants by the Downtown Bettendorf Organization (DBO). DBO announced these grant recipients and projects: Façade Improvement Grants Tango Salon, 836 State St.; Leeann Themas, business and property owner; new façade work including milling headers, filling potholes and blacktopping the parking lot. ADSQ, 321 17th; Steve Cotton, business and property owner; will sealcoat a parking lot at 17th and Grant streets, remove a rock garden in front and add new... Read More

After 22 years at the helm of the Rock Island Housing Authority (RIHA) and now its new managing entity Community Home Partners (CHP), Susan Anderson has announced plans to retire next January. Anderson, who serves as Chief Executive Officer for CHP and Executive Director for RIHA, shared her decision with the organizations’ respective boards at their recent meeting. She plans to stay until next January to assist in the leadership transition. “I’m most proud of how far we’ve come as an organization and a community in our efforts to provide families with attractive, livable, and affordable... Read More

The Genesis Flu-Free Quad Cities program will offer four family vaccination clinics providing protection against seasonal influenza Tuesday, Oct. 26 at TaxSlayer Center, Moline, from 3-6 p.m.; and, Wednesday, Oct. 27 from 3-6 p.m. at Brady Street Stadium, Davenport. These clinics will provide free seasonal influenza vaccinations to all ages. Genesis Flu-Free Quad Cities has provided more than 100,000 free flu vaccinations since the origin of the program in 2007. The vaccinations are available at elementary schools throughout the region. Consent forms for vaccination are required. The form can be... Read More

The Quad Cities Chamber announced the launch of Leadership QC, a program for experienced community leaders and innovative thinkers who want to enhance their individual leadership skills. Leadership QC participants will work collectively to develop business-oriented solutions to challenges that impact our region’s workforce. Applications are now being accepted for this 9-month leadership program that will begin in January 2022. “Leadership QC will bring together a diverse group of our region’s leaders, that maybe wouldn’t normally work together or collaborate, to discuss and resolve issues... Read More

Let the long lines begin! Atomic Coffee Bar, known for their signature energy drinks, friendly drive-thru customer service, and long lines due to popular demand, is opening up a new location at the old Checker’s spot on John Deere Road in Rock Island. The shop is currently under construction and is expected to be open before the end of the year. Atomic has two other locations in the Quad-Cities, 4707 N Brady St. in Davenport, and 3235 Ridge Point, Bettendorf. For more info, stay tuned to your fun, free, local QuadCities.com…  Read More