Safety Survey, Employee Support, Committee Sign Up
Friday, December 11, 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 5:45 p.m. on Friday, December 11. *** Restaurant Safety Survey - Help Support Indoor Dining The IRA and National Restaurant Association continue to refute claims that dining in restaurants and COVID transmission are linked. We are asking for your help by completing a brief survey to show that restaurants are safe places that should be allowed to resume limited indoor dining operations. The data gained through the survey below will be used to make scientific-based decisions on restrictions instead of reflexive actions that punish restaurants without evidence. All responses will be kept confidential, and it is critical that we have high participation in order to validate the results. Click here to take the survey. Restaurant Town Hall with Senator Duckworth Recap Thank you to everyone that joined the IRA's town hall meeting earlier today with Senator Tammy Duckworth to discuss the latest updates on federal relief negotiations and the needs of the restaurant and foodservice industry. Special thanks to our speakers - IRA Chairman Greg Schulson of Lunan Corporation/Burrito Beach, IRA First Vice Chairman Sam Sanchez of Third Coast Hospitality, IRA member Rick Bayless of Frontera Restaurants, IRA Advisory Council member Karen Conn of Conn Hospitality, and IRA Advisory Council member Erick Williams of Virtue Restaurant. Read more about the event: Keep Spreading the Word - Time is Running Out for Federal Restaurant Relief 
We're working to urge Congress to take action before the year of the year to support restaurants in need. Here's how you can help our efforts today: Post our call to action on your personal and business social media channels and tag three industry colleagues with the below caption: "Time is running out. Dozens of restaurants are closing every single day, and the latest figures show that 110,000 restaurants across the country have closed this year. Restaurants need federal action to survive now and thrive in the future. Support the RESTAURANTS Act by visiting illinoisrestaurants.org. #SaveOurJobs #FightForIllinoisRestaurants @illinoisrestaurants"
IRA Committee Sign Up for 2021 Looking to get more involved in the IRA? Serving on an IRA committee is an excellent way to actively contribute to year-round events, advocacy, training programs, and membership efforts of the Association. We're looking for volunteers for the Chef's Table, Education, Golf Classic, Government Relations, and Membership Committees in 2021. Click here to sign up. Reminder - State of Illinois Minimum Wage and Tipped Wage Increase on January 1, 2021 On Friday, January 1, 2021, the state of Illinois' minimum wage increases to $11.00, and the tipped wage increases to $6.60. Click here to review the updated rates. Businesses located in the city of Chicago or in municipalities within Cook County that have opted into Cook County's minimum wage ordinance must comply with local minimum wage regulations. Next Week - Webinar on Support and Assistance for Restaurant & Bar Workers 
Join the IRA, IRA Educational Foundation, and Southern Smoke Foundation on Thursday, December 17 at 10:00 a.m. for a webinar providing an overview of relief funds for food and beverage industry employees and how to apply, as well as info about other organizations and assistance programs that may be helpful right now. This webinar will be broadcast in English, Spanish, and Mandarin Chinese. **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** This webinar is provided in partnership with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and the Cook County Community Recovery Initiative. Click here to register. Next Tuesday - BIG Grant Application Deadline The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) is informing small businesses and communities that the application period for the Business Interruption Grant (BIG) program will close at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 15. Click here to learn more and apply today. Share Your Holiday Plans This month, Chicago Gourmet launched a holiday social media campaign, #ChiGourmetHoliday, to raise awareness of the special menus, meal kits, gift ideas, delivery/carry-out specials and more available at restaurants throughout Chicagoland. Content may be shared on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter — where Chicago Gourmet has nearly 66,000 fans — to encourage consumer support of local restaurants at a time when they need it the most. Please submit holiday details and one or more high-quality photographs for potential inclusion to chicagogourmet@illinoisrestaurants.org.
|
Email to a Friend
