President Halts Relief Negotiations, Best Big City (x4), Share the IL Restaurant Promise

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 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 7.

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President Trump Halts Federal Relief Negotiations

Last night, President Trump announced that he was putting an end to federal relief negotiations. Shortly after, he then said he would sign limited bills for $1,600 stimulus checks, funds for airlines, and a second round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding. 

Based on these latest developments, it is increasingly likely that no broad action for federal relief is going to happen before the election. The IRA and National Restaurant Association continue to fight for the RESTAURANTS Act, along with more narrow, short-term tools for restaurants like another round of PPP funding and expanding the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC). 

"Without passing this relief and not getting a second chance at the PPP loan, we're going to see a lot more restaurants go out of business," said IRA President & CEO Sam Toia. "They were predicting 20%. If they're going to wait until after the election, we could see it go up to 30 or 40%."

Click here to read more from ABC7.

Condé Nast Names Chicago Best Big City in U.S. for 4th Straight Year

Chicago has been voted Best Big City in the U.S. by readers of Condé Nast Traveler in their 2020 Readers' Choice Awards survey. This is the fourth straight year Chicago has claimed the top ranking, and no other city has received this honor four times.

Chicago is a "world-class destination known for its impressive architecture, first-rate museums, brilliant chefs, and massive brewing scene,” says Condé Nast Traveler.

Click here to read more from Condé Nast Traveler. Click here to read more from Chicago Tribune

Post the Illinois Restaurant Promise at Your Establishment

Be sure to download and share the Illinois Restaurant Promise at your restaurant.

The Promise is a pledge that can be posted at your establishments to show diners the commitments your business has made to keep diners safe - and what you ask of diners in return.

Click here to download the poster in English and Spanish.

Employer Responsibilities Under Federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) went into effect on April 1, 2020 and will expire on December 31, 2020. The Act created two temporary leave programs – Emergency Paid Sick Leave (EPSL) and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion (EFMLE) – that require private sector employers with less than 500 employees to provide leave to employees impacted by COVID-19.

Under the Act, covered employers qualify for 100 percent (full costs of both leave programs) reimbursement through refundable tax credits administered by the U.S. Department of the Treasury.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) through its Wage and Hour Division is responsible for implementing and enforcing the new leave mandates. The Department issued implementing regulations on April 1, 2020, which detail employer and employee obligations, as well as an exemption available to qualifying small employers with fewer than 50 employees.

Covered employers are required to provide EPSL to full-time employees up to 80 hours, and part-time employees up to the number of hours they work on average over a two-week period. There are no eligibility requirements, meaning the employee is eligible immediately upon hire. There are very specific reasons for EPSL, detailed below.

1. Employee is subject to a quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19;

2. Employee has been advised to self-quarantine by a health care provider because of CVOID-19;

3. Employee is experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and is seeking a medical diagnosis;

4. Employee is caring for an individual, which includes “an employee’s immediate family member, a person who regularly resides the employee’s home, or similar person with whom the employee has a relationship that creates the expectation that the employee would care for the person if he/she is advised to quarantine or self-isolate.” The key is there must be an existing relationship with the person; and

5. Employee is caring for a son or daughter whose school or place of child care is closed or whose child care provider is unavailable due to COVID-19.

Click here for an overview of the law from the National Restaurant Association.

Click here to read the employer paid sick leave requirements from DOL.

Click here to review the FAQ from DOL.

Discounted JUSTIN Wines Now Available Through Chicago Gourmet

Go Gourmet has ended, but you can still enjoy part of the Chicago Gourmet experience in your home. Master Sommelier Joe Spellman's top wine pairings are available for a special discounted price for a limited time.

Now through October 15, use Chicago Gourmet Virtual Wine Sponsor JUSTIN Winery & Vineyards promo codes CG2020 to save 10% and FREESHIP for free shipping on the wines featured in our Virtual Series. Click here to make a purchase.