Webinar on Relief Package Overview and FAQ

The Illinois Restaurant Association continues to engage with local, state, and federal officials to help employers and employees address concerns about COVID-19.

Please see the below resources and information for your business - updated as of 7:50 p.m. on Tuesday, December 22.

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Webinar Tomorrow on Relief Package

Late last night, the House and Senate passed a pandemic relief bill that includes a number of provisions and programs that can help restaurants and employees - including a number of restaurant-specific benefits.

Join the IRA and National Restaurant Association for a detailed webinar briefing tomorrow - Wednesday, December 23 at 12:30 p.m. (Central).

National Restaurant Association Executive Vice President of Public Affairs Sean Kennedy and Director of Healthcare and Tax Policy Aaron Frazier will outline what is in this latest bill, how it helps restaurants, and what steps you need to take to utilize benefits and programs. Additionally, we will provide an overview of what lies ahead when Congress returns to session in January.

Click here to register for the webinar.

Click here to read a summary of the package, also found below.

Sangamon County Restaurant Case Legal Update

As anticipated, FoxFire has filed a petition before the Illinois Supreme Court asking the Court to review and overturn the 2nd District Appellate Court decision which found that the Illinois Governor possesses the Executive Order authority to enact the indoor dining ban and other mitigation measures.

If the Illinois Supreme Court agrees to consider the issue, the IRA will again present its amicus brief in support of the restaurant and the industry.

Click here to read more from WSIU NPR.

State of Illinois Rebuild Distressed Communities Grant Funding Available

Rebuild Distressed Communities is a $25 million economic recovery program to support economically distressed Illinois businesses and communities that have sustained property damage due to civil unrest on or after May 25th, 2020.

The Rebuild Distressed Communities grant program will reimburse the cost of repairs for structural damages, including repairs to storefronts and entrances, improving electrical systems, and restoring exterior work.

Businesses located in the zip codes listed here are eligible to apply. Businesses not listed in those zip codes may still be eligible if they operate in an economically distressed area, listed here, and may apply to have their zip code included.

Applicants can begin submitting applications for Round 2 on December 21 until January 21. Applications will be accepted in rounds until funding is exhausted. Any impacted business may apply during any round.

Click here to learn more.

City of Chicago Extends Stay at Home Advisory, Restaurants Must Follow Existing Mitigations

On Sunday, Mayor Lightfoot reissued the city's existing Stay at Home Advisory through January 10.

Outdoor service at restaurants and bars may continue. All customers eating or drinking on premises must be seated at outdoor tables spaced at least six feet apart, including tables within eight feet of a wall that is at least 50% open. Party size cannot exceed six people per table. 

As a reminder, the City has also imposed restrictions to limit meetings and social events to 10 individuals (both indoors and outdoors). This capacity limit applies to events such as weddings, birthday parties, business dinners/social events, and funerals, and is applicable to any venue where a meeting or social event is taking place, including meeting rooms.

Click here to read the reissued Stay at Home Advisory.

Click here to read more from WTTW.

City of Chicago Nonprofit Lobbyist Ordinance Delayed Until April 2021

The City of Chicago Board of Ethics (BOE) is delaying implementation of the ordinance regarding nonprofit lobbyists, previously set for January 1, 2021.

From BOE's announcement: "As the City and many nonprofit organizations in Chicago continue to work together to respond to the COVID-19 crisis, the delay in implementation of the City’s nonprofit lobbying laws until such time as the City and Board deem appropriate continues until at least April 1. The Board and Mayor’s Office continue to be committed to working diligently with nonprofit organizations and stakeholders to understand and respond to their concerns about this law, and on working toward amendments that increase transparency in Chicago."

Click here to read the notice.