HR Challenges Webinar, Push for PPP Improvements, Restaurant Tax Payments Extended

The Illinois Restaurant Association continues to engage with local, state, and federal officials to help our employers and employees address concerns about COVID-19.

Please see the below resources and information for your business - updated as of 6:50 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15.

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Friday Webinar: Navigating HR Challenges for Restaurants on FFCRA, PPP Loans, and More

Join the Illinois Restaurant Association, Plante Moran, and Laner Muchin Friday, April 17 at 1:00 p.m. for a webinar as we discuss HR challenges for restaurants during the current COVID-19 crisis.

Topics will include unemployment insurance, paid sick leave requirements through the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA), furloughs, layoffs, employee benefits, and how to ensure Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans are forgiven.

Tax and accounting professionals Dave Andrea, John Barsella, and Michael Kruker of Plante Moran, along with Labor and Employment attorney Rob Bernstein of Laner Muchin, will provide overviews of the regulations and requirements facing employers and offer guidance for restaurants as they navigate this ongoing crisis.  

Click here to register. Please send all questions you would like addressed during the webinar to Matt Quinn.

IWCC Passes Emergency Worker's Compensation Rule

Today, Commissioners of the Illinois Workers Compensation Commission voted 9-0-1 during a virtual hearing to approve an emergency rule that creates an automatic presumption that an essential worker diagnosed with COVID-19 contracted the illness at his or her workplace. Click here to read the emergency rule.

The IRA submitted additional comments to IWCC to stress our opposition to this rule change.

The rule is effective April 16, 2020, for a maximum of 150 days.

City of Chicago Extends Deadline For Restaurant Tax Payments to June

The City of Chicago has announced the due dates for the February, March, and April tax payments have been extended to Monday, June 1 for the restaurant tax and six other local taxes.

Click here to read more.

Tell Congress: Support Bipartisan Efforts to Improve Relief

The IRA is working alongside the National Restaurant Association and state restaurant association partners to lobby Congress on much-needed improvements to the loan and relief programs created in the CARES Act.

We need your help to amplify our efforts! Please take a few moments to email your Representatives and Senators and tell them: 

• You support bipartisan efforts to provide additional funding.

• You support Congress taking action to make loan terms and other requirements flexible to reflect the unique operational and business model of restaurants.

Make your voice heard so that restaurants can survive today and once again thrive in the future. Click here to take action.

On Premises Workplace Infection Control Practices Impacting Employees

The National Restaurant Association's Restaurant Law Center has developed guidance regarding the implications of potential temperature check and mask requirements at local and state levels.

Click here to read more.

Issues Applying for PPP? Visit the IRA COVID-19 Legal Network

Several attorneys in the IRA Legal Network are ready to provide guidance to restaurant operators as they apply for relief loans.

Our participating attorneys have also provided FAQs and breakdowns for you to reference.

Click here to visit the IRA Legal Network webpage and list of participating attorneys.