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WELCOME TO THE ILLINOIS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION
Founded in 1914, the Illinois Restaurant Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, protecting, educating and improving the restaurant industry in Illinois.
IRA MEMBER LUNCHEON AT NRA SHOW
The Illinois Restaurant Association invites you to attend the fifth annual Member Luncheon at the 2008 National Restaurant Association, Restaurant Hotel-Motel Show on Monday, May 19, 2008 at noon (check-in begins at 11:30 a.m.). Enjoy great food and network with fellow restaurateurs before hitting the show floor! There will be a brief speaking program featuring IRA Chairman John Meyer, President Sheila O’Grady and a keynote speaker.
Register Here
LOBBY DAY
The Illinois Restaurant Association’s Annual Lobby Day was Wednesday, April 30th in Springfield. Several IRA members and President Sheila O'Grady met with elected officials face-to-face and discussed legislative issues that impact the restaurant industry. In addition to meeting with key lawmakers, the group had a private lunch with Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias.
JOB FAIR
The Illinois Restaurant Association hosted a Job Fair on Monday, May 5th at Kendall College where representatives from a variety of hospitality and foodservice companies met with prospective employees. Taste of Chicago Beverage Operations is still accepting applicants. For more information, please call 312.251.0103.
NRA RESTAURANT NEIGHBOR AWARD
Apply now for the annual Restaurant Neighbor Award which honors restaurants for outstanding community service. Each year four national winners receive $5,000 each to continue their charitable works. The deadline to apply for the award is June 20, 2008.
Click here to apply.
SALES TAX INCREASE EFFECTIVE 4/1/2008
In Cook County, the RTA Tax increased from .75% to 1.00%. In the collar counties (DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will) the RTA Tax increased from .25% to .75%. Click here to view a detailed summary of the current taxes.
FOOD VENDOR APPLICATIONS AVAILABLE NOW
We invite you to apply as a food vendor at the upcoming Gospel Music Festival and Lakefront Music Festivals. The IRA is looking for food vendors that will represent and enhance the festival experience at the festivals.
Gospel Music Festival will be May 30 – June 1 in Millennium Park.
The lakefront music festivals are:
Chicago Blues Festival (Grant Park), June 5-8
Viva! Chicago Latin Music Festival (Grant Park), August 23 & 24
Chicago Jazz Festival (Grant Park), August 29-31
Celtic Fest Chicago (Grant Park), September 13 & 14
Click here to apply as a food vendor at Gospel Music Festival
Click here to apply as a food vendor at Lakefront Music Festivals.
 
Illinois Restaurant Industry Facts
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Locations …………...31,400
Employees …………403,000*
Sales……………….$18.3 Billion
Projected 2008 Economic Impact of Eating & Drinking Places: $47.8 billion
*eating and drinking places only
Are you looking to open a restaurant in Chicago? Are you a current restaurant owner with questions about permits or fees? Click here to access information about permits, fees, licenses, taxes and inspections in the City of Chicago.
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CHICAGO AND COOK COUNTY TAXES AS OF 4/1/08
| State Sales Tax |
6.25% |
| Chicago Sales Tax |
1.25% |
| Cook County Sales Tax |
.75% |
| RTA Tax |
1.00% |
| Pier Tax |
1.00% |
| TOTAL SALES TAX |
10.25% |
| Plus |
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| Restaurant Tax |
.25% |
| TOTAL TAX |
10.50% |
Notes:
§ The MPEA Pier Tax (1.00%) only applies to downtown Chicago restaurants
§ The Restaurant Tax only applies to Chicago restaurants
§ The RTA Tax affects both Cook County and the collar counties (DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will). In the collar counties, the RTA increase effective 4/1/08 will be from .25% to .75%. |
Thank you to our Corporate Sponsors for showing their dedication to our industry.
Please visit our sponsors today!
PLATINUM/GOLD
SILVER
BRONZE
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You can download this free program by clicking on the icon below.
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