Layoffs/WARN Act Webinar, Region 6 Warning, Chicago Budget Address

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 5:20 p.m. on Monday, October 5.

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Tomorrow - Restaurant Law Center Webinar on Furloughs, Layoffs, and WARN Act Concerns

Join the National Restaurant Association's Restaurant Law Center tomorrow, Tuesday, October 6 at 2:00 p.m. (Central) for their Extended COVID-19 Furloughs, Layoffs and Other WARN Act Concerns: Avoiding Notice Requirement Pitfalls webinar.

Angelo Amador of the Restaurant Law Center will host the webinar, with guests from RLC Law Firm Partners Jackson Lewis and Sheppard Mullin to offer insights on the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act and various state offshoots.

Click here to register.

Click here for an overview of the federal WARN Act. Click here to review state and local WARN Acts, including in the state of Illinois.

Region 6 at Warning Levels Outside of Champaign County

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) recently announced it has been closely monitoring COVID-19 data in Region 6. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) is performing repeated saliva testing for staff and students. This is resulting in a tremendous number of tests, which can average up to 20% of all tests done in the state during some weeks. Because of this high volume, the positivity rate for Region 6 could be overshadowed by what is happening at UIUC. 

Therefore, in addition to providing data for Region 6, IDPH is now presenting data for Region 6 without Champaign County. However, Champaign County will still be required to implement mitigation efforts if regional metrics are tripped in Region 6.

In doing this, IDPH has found that Region 6, with Champaign County included, is seeing a 2.0% 7-day rolling test positivity average. Without Champaign County, Region 6 is seeing a 7.2%, which puts the region at risk for needing to implement additional mitigation measures, including no indoor bar service or dinning at restaurants, and limiting the size of event gatherings. 

IDPH is encouraging local leaders and communities in Region 6 to begin taking action now to reduce the test positivity rate, which includes making sure people are wearing masks in public, maintaining social distance, and not gathering in large groups. 

Click here to read more.

Mayor Lightfoot Announces Budget Address to Be Held on Wednesday, October 21

Today, Mayor Lightfoot announced that the annual Budget Address will be given on Wednesday, October 21 at 10:00 a.m., along with the release of the Mayor’s 2021 Budget Recommendation. Facing the largest budget gap in the City’s history due to the overwhelming and persisting impacts of COVID-19, the Budget Address will detail the reforms, efficiencies and investments that make up the 2021 Budget. 

Throughout budget season, the IRA will continue to work to protect the hospitality industry from various tax and fee increases that would further burden Chicago's restaurants and bars at a time when they can least afford it.

Click here to read more.

What to Do When a COVID-19 Positive Case Has Been Reported in Your Facility

Operators are encouraged familiarize themselves with the IRA's guide of protocols to follow when a confirmed COVID-19 case has been in your facility.

The guide includes: general best practices, cleaning and disinfecting policies, employee leave requirements, notification templates, and more.

Click here to review the guidelines.

Next Thursday - Maximizing Restaurant Space in Fall and Winter Webinar

With the seasons changing, get ideas from the pros now on utilizing your outdoor space.

Join the IRA along with architects and designers from City Open Workshop for a webinar Thursday, October 15 at 10:00 a.m. featuring expert design ideas on how to safely and optimally use restaurant space for service. Additionally, a representative from the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) will provide info on current guidelines in Chicago.

This webinar is provided in partnership with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and the Cook County Community Recovery Initiative.

**Este seminario web se transmitirá en inglés y español.**

**此网络研讨会有中文及英文两种放送版本**

Click here to register.

Last Chance to Apply for Cook County Small Business Grants

Tomorrow is the final day for suburban Cook County small businesses (under 20 employees) to apply for a $10,000 grant from the Cook County COVID-19 Recovery Small Business Assistance program.

Click here to learn more and find out if you qualify. Applications are due Tuesday, October 5 at 5:00 p.m.

FLAVOR - October Tastings Support Women-Led Restaurants

Enjoy a curated selection of entrées, desserts, and craft cocktails from sixteen of Chicago’s best women-led restaurants with FLAVOR – October Tastings. Held on Fridays and Saturdays through October 24, FLAVOR – October Tastings will present four “Savor the World” tasting menus that will be available for delivery or pick-up on Tock. Please note that orders must be placed by 4 PM on Thursday.

Supported by Choose Chicago, Illinois Restaurant Association, and the James Beard Foundation, FLAVOR – October Tastings is an initiative of Chicago Let’s Talk, a collaboration of women restaurateurs, founded three months ago by Rohini Dey, Ph.D. (Vermilion), to enable women to get to know each other, support each other, share resources, and undertake collaborative action.

Click here to make a reservation today.

City of Chicago Announces Performing Arts Venue Relief Grants

Mayor Lightfoot and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) have announced the new Performing Arts Venue Relief Program to help performing arts venues which have lost significant revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Applications open Monday, October 5, and the program will provide $10,000 grants to up to 120 for-profit and nonprofit Chicago-based performing arts venues who have been closed to performances.

Eligible entities must be located in Chicago, have a PPA (Public Place of Amusement) or Music and Dance license, and primarily produce or present performing arts programming – including theatre, dance, performance art, and/or live music or live mixing by DJs. Complete eligibility criteria and applications will be available at chicago.gov/artsvenuerelief beginning on Monday, October 5. Completed applications must be received by October 23 for consideration and grants will be distributed on a lottery system to qualified recipients.

Funds will be allocated through an equity lens that considers the history of disinvestment and the disproportionate burden of COVID-19 on the South and West sides of Chicago. The program will prioritize funding organizations located on the South and West sides, in Low and Moderate Income (LMI) community areas, and organizations that have not received grants through the Arts for Illinois Relief Fund or the City of Chicago’s Together Now program.

Click here to learn more.