Restaurant Legal Summit, Halloween BACP Webinar, New Travel Warnings

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 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13.

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This Week - Fourth Annual Restaurant Legal Summit

Presented by the Restaurant Law Center of the National Restaurant Association, this year’s virtual edition will to be held October 14-16. Attendees are invited to connect online with senior representatives from some of the restaurant industry's most successful brands and learn from experts from some of our nation's top law firms as we discuss important issues facing the restaurant industry today including:

• Paycheck Protection Program

• Business Interruption Insurance

• Tips on Tip Credits

• The Power of Diversity and Inclusion

• The Future of Restaurant Real Estate

Click here to view the full agenda. Registration is free.

Click here to register.

BACP Webinar: Halloweek in Chicago – Best Practices for Hospitality Licensees During COVID-19

The City of Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP) is hosting a hospitality-focused webinar tomorrow, Wednesday, October 14 at 12:00 p.m. in preparation for the celebration of Halloween in Chicago. 

All Liquor and PPA licensees should attend this webinar to learn about current COVID-19 regulations as well as best practices and helpful tips.

Click here to register.

New Chicago Travel Warnings - Indiana Added to Updated State Quarantine List

Today, Chicago public health officials added Indiana, North Carolina, New Mexico, and Rhode Island to the city's COVID-19 travel quarantine order, effective Friday, October 16.

For Wisconsin and Indiana, the Order applies to individuals coming from Wisconsin or Indiana to Chicago for non-work purposes and Chicago residents returning from Wisconsin or Indiana, unless they are deemed an essential worker. Exceptions to the Order for personal travel will be permitted for travel for medical care and parental shared custody. Individuals who travel to Wisconsin or Indiana, even if for less than 24 hours, still need to quarantine upon returning unless deemed an essential worker or are a student who commutes for school. Review the FAQs below for specific information on exceptions. Chicago residents are strongly advised to not travel to these states.

Click here to review the latest emergency travel order. 

Alderman Tunney Introduces Ordinance to Further Extend City of Chicago Business Licenses

Former IRA Chairman and Alderman Tom Tunney (44th) has introduced an ordinance that would create an extension for Chicago business licenses until December 31, 2020. The City Council passed a similar ordinance introduced by Alderman Tunney earlier this year.

The IRA is fully supportive of this ordinance, and we appreciate Alderman Tunney's ongoing efforts to support Chicago's business community. 

Click here to read the ordinance. 

Sam Toia Joins WGN to Discuss Restaurant Industry Outlook

IRA President & CEO Sam Toia recently joined Bob Sirott to discuss the ongoing challenges restaurants are facing, the outlook for broad federal relief, outdoor dining, and more.

Click here to listen to the segment.

This Thursday - Maximizing Restaurant Space in Fall and Winter Webinar

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.

Upcoming Webinars from Cook County COVID-19 Recovery Small Business Assistance Program

The IRA is a proud partner of the Cook County COVID-19 Recovery Small Business Assistance Program.

The Program is providing webinars to help your small business find ways to remain resilient during the pandemic. Take advantage of the no-cost webinar series, where you can get expert advise, tips, and resources to:

• Understand the most critical elements to consider when recovering from a business disruption such as COVID-19

• Identify immediate next steps you can take to recover from a business disruption

• Gain a better understanding of business continuity and resiliency planning that will help you understand the most criticand one-on-one business advising to address the unique needs of their business and help their business recover from COVID-19.

Only three webinars remaining, register today:

• Thursday, October 15 from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.

• Thursday, October 22 from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.

• Thursday, October 29 from 2:00 – 3:30 p.m.

Click here for more information and to register for webinars or business advising.

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. 

Streamlined PPP Forgiveness Application for Loans Under $50,000

Restaurants who received Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans under $50,000 can now access a new forgiveness application designed to simplify the forgiveness and loan review process, as announced by the Small Business Administration (SBA) last night. This streamlined PPP forgiveness form does not require businesses to show the calculations used to determine their loan forgiveness amount. However, SBA may request information and documents to review those calculations as part of its loan review process.

Important to note – this is not “automatic PPP loan forgiveness,” as borrowers are still required to submit documentation to lenders on payroll costs, rent/lease payments, and utilities. Additionally, there is a restriction for any otherwise eligible applicants if they have affiliated businesses receiving PPP loans totaling $2 million or greater – the National Restaurant Association is following up with SBA to ensure the “Affiliation Rules” are waived for restaurants and hotels as outlined in earlier PPP guidance (p. 2).

Click here to download the new PPP loan forgiveness application

Click here to review the instructions for the new form.

Click here to review the SBA rules on the new forgiveness procedures for PPP loans under $50,000.