Mask Rule, Worker Relief Fund, ChiServes Website for Hospitality Workers

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 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, January 6.

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Emergency Rule on Mask Requirements Reissued

This week, Governor Pritzker refiled an emergency rule to continue the state's mask and social distancing rules. The emergency rule is currently in effect for a maximum of 150 days. The rule remains in effect until it is repealed, withdrawn, or overturned by the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR).

Click here to review the rule.

The IRA continues to focus on restoring indoor dining throughout the state of Illinois during ongoing mitigations. Read our latest message to Governor Pritzker here.

Read more:

• The Center Square - Pritzker files new emergency rule to continue mask, social distancing mandates in Illinois

• Eater Chicago - Illinois’ COVID-19 Mask Mandate Could Continue Through June

Southern Smoke Chicago and Cook County Restaurant Worker Relief Fund

Southern Smoke Foundation has more than $3 million dollars available through its Chicago Restaurant Worker Relief Fund available to help Chicago and Cook County restaurant, bar and coffee shop workers who are experiencing hardship from the COVID-19 crisis.

This fund provides emergency relief grants based on need to these workers who have lost wages or employment due to the shutdown for the pandemic.

Grants will be awarded to applicants who meet eligibility requirements, including demonstrated need, as assessed by Southern Smoke Foundation, a nonprofit organization that also administers a national food and beverage Emergency Relief fund.

Click here to learn more and apply today.

The IRA Educational Foundation's Employee Relief Fund is also available to restaurant and hospitality employees across Illinois that have experienced hardship due to COVID-19.

Click here to learn more about the IRAEF Employee Relief Fund.

ChiServes: Helping Chicago Get Back to Work

The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership is collaborating with the City of Chicago in the creation of a new ChiServes.com portal for hospitality workers impacted by COVID-19 to access workforce development support resources. ChiServes.com connects job seekers to career coaching, including resume writing, interview preparation, occupational training, and job placement services at no cost to them.

The website can connect English, Spanish, Polish, and Chinese Mandarin speakers to resources. Job seekers can also call (312) 281-7925 and text "ChiServes" to 474747 for updates in English or "ChiSirve" to 474747 to get connected in Spanish.

Click here to learn more.

James Beard Foundation Investment Fund for Black and Indigenous Americans

In acknowledgement of the immeasurable contribution that Black and Indigenous Americans have made to the modern American foodscape, the James Beard Foundation is launching the James Beard Foundation Food and Beverage Investment Fund for Black and Indigenous Americans to provide financial resources for food or beverage businesses that are majority-owned by Black or Indigenous individuals.

This new Fund will provide $15,000 grants to diverse food and beverage businesses that are majority-owned by Black or Indigenous individuals across six regions nationally.

Applications for the Fund open Monday, January 11 at 2:00 p.m. (Central)

Click here to learn more.