- The City is in a strong position, giving us the flexibility we need to improve services, invest in our capital and plan for the future.
- We are strengthened by ongoing partnerships with the Rock Island Arsenal, Quad Cities Chamber, Visit Quad Cities, Development Association of Rock Island (DARI), Friends of Douglas Park, Friends of Long View Park and Friends of Hauberg.
- The City’s 2026 $154 million budget was approved using a mix of expenditure reductions along with a portion of the prior years’ surplus to support a variety of expenses and projects such as increased police and fire pension costs, personnel costs and equipment, bond payments and road repairs.
- There will be no increase in the tax levy due to an increase in property values.
- Expenditures dropped by $14.3 million from 2025.
- The $9 million Rebuild Downtown Rock Island project was completed with funding from a $3 million from a State of Illinois Rebuild Downtowns & Main Streets Grant; $3.9 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds; $1.5 million in Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District funds; and $267,000 State of Illinois Tourism Attractions Grant.
- Nine new businesses opened or expanded in Rock Island in 2025.
- Nine development agreements totaling nearly $60 million dollars were approved.
- Hundreds of library events joined the community together, like the Reading Revolution Community Book Club.
- The Finance Department received the Government Finance Officers’ Association Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for the 43rd year in a row.
| - After an extensive RFP process conducted throughout 2023, City staff researched and selected new software, Tyler Technologies, in early 2024. This new software will enhance service delivery to residents and businesses of Rock Island by providing expanded options for bill payment and improved capabilities for updating business information through vendor and customer portals.
- The City’s application for a River Edge Redevelopment Zone was approved by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in October, 2025. This will allow us to access one of the state’s key economic development programs aimed at repurposing former industrial areas for new growth and investment. It allows developers and the City to use many different tax incentives.
- The Inspections Division issued 2,096 building permits, conducted 1,657 building inspections and completed 2,043 rental inspections.
- A new Strategic Housing Development Plan was adopted, setting policy direction for housing initiatives for the next ten years.
- After five years of effort, the Public Works Department succeeded in obtaining $24.5 million in RAISE/BUILD Grant funds for the 11th Street/US 67 Reconstruction Project.
- Completion of a new clubhouse at Saukie Golf Course that also has a golf simulator.
- The Police Department saw a reduction in crime. They also partnered with the Gray Matters Collective and installed two 988 suicide hotline signs on the Centennial Bridge and at the pedestrian entrance to the Arsenal viaduct, two high suicide-risk locations.
- The MLK Community Center celebrated its 50th anniversary, hosted the Soul of the City event and served a record-breaking 9,000 Thanksgiving meals!
- Mrs Minnijean Brown-Trickey, a member of the Little Rock Nine, spoke at the 2025 MLK Memorial Service.
|