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2 weeks ago | 
quadcitiesbusiness.com | Kenda Burrows
Rock Island County State’s Attorney Dora Villarreal’s legal career is loaded with historical firsts. This QCBJ Woman of Influence is the first woman and first Latina to be elected Rock Island County state’s attorney. She also is the first former criminal defense attorney to serve as the county’s top prosecutor.
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2 weeks ago | 
quadcitiesbusiness.com | Kenda Burrows
As the new marketing manager for an e-commerce company who already leads her own successful and busy career consulting firm while also volunteering to empower others to succeed, Rachel Pitchford’s life is a busy one. This QCBJ Woman of Influence quipped that she inherited that hectic lifestyle from a family deeply rooted in community service, but she clearly embraces it.
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2 weeks ago | 
quadcitiesbusiness.com | Kenda Burrows
From trailblazing cop to her tireless efforts on behalf of veterans as UnityPoint Health-Trinity’s military program coordinator, Sherri Behr DeVrieze has made a career of bettering the lives of others. These days she isn’t just an advocate but “an absolute warrior in the mission of helping Quad Cities veterans reap benefits earned in service to their country,” husband Craig DeVrieze wrote in one of a stack of letters lauding this 2025 Woman of Influence honoree.
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4 weeks ago | 
quadcitiesbusiness.com | Kenda Burrows
As the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center marks its first 50 years, its young, homegrown West End Revitalization (WER) initiative is making “significant strides” in the effort to grow that once thriving historic Rock Island neighborhood. Earlier this month, for example, the Rock Island City Council approved an agreement with Ascentra Credit Union that would add a new credit union branch off 11th Street in the city’s West End.
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4 weeks ago | 
quadcitiesbusiness.com | Kenda Burrows
When the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center opened its doors for the first time on March 22, 1975, some Rock Islanders feared it wouldn’t last long. Half a century later, that city is celebrating this cornerstone and pillar of a historic West End neighborhood that has launched generations of community and business leaders.
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1 month ago | 
quadcitiesbusiness.com | Kenda Burrows
Quad Cities home gardeners are being urged to “dig in” and share some of the fruits – and vegetables – of their labor with Quad Citians in need through the new, cooperative program called GIFT Gardens. Growing Illowa Food Together (GIFT) Gardens was publicly launched on a bright, sunny Thursday, April 24 afternoon at the Scott County Extension Services in Bettendorf. Quad Cities media also witnessed a ceremonial curly kale planting by GIFT program partners.
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1 month ago | 
quadcitiesbusiness.com | Kenda Burrows
NAI Ruhl Commercial Company will host its 10th annual Market Report event on Tuesday, April 29, at Rhythm City Casino Resort, Davenport. Doors open at 3 p.m., and remarks by company President Chris Beason will begin at 3:30 p.m.Mr. Beason will discuss local real estate trends and current activity in each segment of the commercial real estate market, including retail, office, land, industrial and property management.
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1 month ago | 
quadcitiesbusiness.com | Kenda Burrows
After more than 38 years of giving voice to generations of John Deere’s descendants, tireless history detective and talented storyteller Gretchen Small has retired from the Butterworth Center. The former longtime director of programming and collections for the center and the Deere-Wiman House didn’t just write the book on the Deere family landmarks located in […] Already a subscriber? Log in Want to Read More?
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1 month ago | 
quadcitiesbusiness.com | Kenda Burrows
The Rock Island County Board emphasized its unanimous support of passenger rail service to the Quad Cities this week by inking a resolution outlining the benefits to the region from the long-sought route between Chicago and Moline. “We felt it was the right time to reiterate our support, adding our voice to the chorus of […] Already a subscriber? Log in Want to Read More? Get immediate, unlimited access to all subscriber content and much more. Learn more in our subscriber FAQ.
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1 month ago | 
quadcitiesbusiness.com | Kenda Burrows
Illinois and the Quad Cities are facing a housing crisis that is further blocking the path to the American Dream of homeownership and regional leaders were urged to remain committed to ending it at this year’s annual Fair Housing Legislative Breakfast. Attendees at the Quad City Area Realtors (QCAR) event Friday, April 11, at the […] Already a subscriber? Log in Want to Read More? Get immediate, unlimited access to all subscriber content and much more.
