*Action Alert* - Fix the Restore Illinois Plan to Save Restaurants
Thursday, May 7, 2020
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 9:45 p.m. on Thursday, May 7.
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Fix the Restore Illinois Plan to Save Restaurants
Under the current Restore Illinois plan, restaurants and bars throughout the state will be unable to resume dine in operations until June 26 at the very earliest. This approach underestimates the restaurant industry’s ability to reopen and operate safely with enhanced public health measures in place.
The Illinois Restaurant Association is calling on Governor Pritzker and the General Assembly to modify the Restore Illinois plan to allow restaurants and bars to resume their dine in service in a limited capacity during Phase 3.
Public health and safety have always been and continue to be the top priorities for every owner, operator, and employee in the restaurant industry. Illinois’ restaurants are fully capable and ready to resume dine in service with limited occupancy, six feet between tables, PPE for employees, and many other preventative measures. We are eager to work with the state on developing these pragmatic regulations that give restaurants the opportunity to resume their dine in operations in a timely manner.
Send a message to the Governor and leaders in the General Assembly to consider these recommendations and collaborate with the restaurant industry to allow for restaurants and bars to safely reopen their dine in operations during Phase 3 of Restore Illinois.
Read more on the IRA's efforts in Chicago Sun-Times.
Click here to take action.
Crain's Panel - Will Chicagoland Restaurants Recover from COVID-19?
Earlier today, IRA President & CEO Sam Toia participated on the virtual Crain's Chicago Business Panel discussion, Will Chicagoland Restaurants Recover from COVID-19? The panelists discussed the challenges of rethinking their business models during a pandemic, how things will change when they reopen their doors and the immediate funding needed to stay in business.
Fellow Panelists:
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Rick Bayless, Frontera Grill / Topolobampo / Xoco / Leña Brava / Cruz Blanca Cervecería / Tortazo
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Christine Cikowski, Honey Butter Fried Chicken
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Scott Weiner, The Fifty/50 Restaurant Group
Moderator:
Click here to watch the panel discussion.
IRA Testifies on Senate Regulatory Relief Working Group Panel
This morning, Sam Toia testified before the Illinois Senate Regulatory Relief working group on ways the state of Illinois can make regulatory changes to benefit the state's struggling restaurant and hospitality industry.
The IRA continues to push for all measures of financial and regulatory relief for restaurants at the local, state, and federal levels.
DCEO Layoff Aversion Funding Available
The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity is making Statewide Rapid Response funds available to support small businesses facing the financial impacts from COVID‐19. Grant funds are now available to support employers with layoff aversion activities.
The funding range for COVID‐19 Layoff Aversion funding is $5,000 ‐ $50,000 per employer. Funds may be used to support:
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Cleaning Sanitation Services
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Computer Software and Hardware
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Call Center / Remote Work Environments
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Cross‐Functional and/or Transitional Training
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Production of Essential Goods and Services Needed to Support COVID‐19 Response
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Industry Sector Strategy Partnership
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COVID‐19 Response Activities
Please follow the links below to view the full details of the Layoff Aversion Grants, F&Q and to apply for funding:
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