Requests to Mayor Lightfoot, WARN Act Reminder, IL Business Interruption Grants

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 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 16.

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1,500 Chicago Restaurant Operators Sign IRA Letter to Mayor Lightfoot

Thank you to the 1,500+ members of Chicago's restaurant and hospitality community that signed on to the IRA's letter to Mayor Lightfoot requesting increased occupancy at restaurants.

The IRA continues to make clear the urgent needs of Chicago's restaurant industry to Mayor Lightfoot and aldermen, including increased occupancy to 50%, expanded hours of operations, additional capacity for private events, and more.

Click here to read the IRA's letter.

Don't Let Congress Leave D.C. Without Helping Restaurants!

According to the latest National Restaurant Association industry data, restaurants report declining business conditions for August by an over two to one margin.  Over 100,000 restaurants have already closed, and 40% of operators said they would be forced out of business in the next six months if there is not additional federal aid. 

Congress is struggling to pass a recovery bill before leaving Washington for the elections, possibly not considering an alternative until January. 

We need Congress to take short-term action now – targeting the proposals that already have extensive bipartisan support. The restaurant industry needs help now more than ever—and what we need to help restaurants and employees is simple: 

• authorize an additional round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding

• ensure restaurants can deduct business expenses paid with PPP loans

• provide a tax credit for investments that enhance the safety of customers and employees

• expand the Employee Retention Tax Credit

Congress is scheduled to leave Washington at the end of the month – they need to hear from you now! 

Please contact your lawmakers by clicking here.

WARN Act Reminders for Employers

Employers should be advised that two separate, but similar, versions of the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (WARN) Act exist: a federal WARN Act and an Illinois WARN Act. Illinois employers must follow both laws.

In general, the Illinois WARN Act contains stricter notice requirements, but since Illinois employers must follow both laws, the following information combines the requirements under both the federal and Illinois WARN Acts. For ease of reference in this summary, the combined laws are referenced generally as the WARN Act. 

Click here for a summary of the WARN Act for employers from Hinshaw & Culbertson.

Looting Penalties Ordinance Introduced

Alderman Matt O'Shea (19th) has introduced an ordinance in the Chicago City Council that would establish penalties for looting. Specifically, it provides for the impoundment of any vehicle involved in looting activity. Further it specifically prohibits looting, which is defined as the forcible entry of property without the owner's permission or removing of property from a property that has been forcibly entered. Violations will result in fines of $1,000 to $2,000 or imprisonment of up to six months or both. It also imposes a fine of $2,000 for any owner of a vehicle involved in looting. Based on probable cause, the police are responsible for towing a vehicle believed to be involved in looting. 

Click here to read the ordinance.

Gov. Pritzker Announces $245 Million in Grants for Businesses and Communities Impacted by COVID-19 and Civil Unrest

Yesterday, Governor Pritzker joined the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) in the Bronzeville community to announce the latest in a series of grants made available for small businesses in Illinois suffering losses as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic as well as communities impacted by the recent civil unrest.

Applications for the second round of the Business Interruption Grants (BIG) program will be made available this Thursday afternoon and will offer $220 million in funds for small businesses hit hardest by the ongoing pandemic.

The Governor also announced applications for the new Rebuild Distressed Communities (RDC) program will become available in the coming weeks. This program will provide $25 million in funding to cover the cost of civil-unrest related repairs while also supporting new investments in economically distressed communities across Illinois.

Click here to read more.

City of Chicago Announces 600+ Submissions Entered in Chicago Winter Design Challenge

More than 640 architects, designers, servers and foodies have submitted proposals for the the Chicago Winter Design Challenge.

Over the next few weeks, the submissions will be evaluated by a panel of local restaurants and community members. Following their review, the winners will be announced by the city of Chicago in October.

The IRA continues to encourage creative outdoor dining solutions as a helpful complement to main indoor operations at restaurants.

"Our restaurants and bars are the heart and soul of the city, and we must do everything possible to keep them operational during the harsh winter months," said IRA President & CEO Sam Toia.

Click here to review the submissions on IDEO's website.

Click here to read more from ABC7.

Chicago Gourmet Silent Auction Now Live

Bring the Chicago Gourmet experience into your home while benefiting the hospitality industry with our premier online auction.

Featuring elite wine and spirit offerings from Chicago Gourmet presenting sponsor Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits – along with memorable culinary adventures, virtual wine and spirits tastings, autographed sports memorabilia, and much more!

One hundred percent of proceeds from our online auction benefit the IRA Educational Foundation, dedicated to building and promoting the health and prosperity of the restaurant industry by investing in Illinois' youth and workforce.

Bid early and bid often for this important cause!

Click here to bid today.