Chicago Reopening Update, Raise the Wage Act

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 7:45 p.m. on Friday, January 29.

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City of Chicago May Soon Move to Phase Four, Restrictions Still in Place

The city of Chicago (Region 11) is currently under Tier 1 mitigations that allow for indoor dining at restaurants at 25% occupancy or 25 people per room (whichever is fewer). If COVID-19 indicators continue to improve and case rate drops to less than or equal to 6.5% for three consecutive days, Chicago can move to Phase Four.

However, in a statement released this afternoon from the city of Chicago and the Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection, a number of additional regulations will remain in place.

The IRA continues to advocate for increased indoor dining throughout the state.

"As one of the most highly regulated industries in terms of health and safety — and with enhanced precautions introduced during COVID-19 — Chicago restaurant operators know how to protect the wellbeing of their guests and team members. They are confident they can safely serve more guests in Phase 4. The industry needs more to survive this crisis," said IRA President & CEO, Sam Toia.

Restaurant and Bars restrictions will include the following:

• Indoor capacity will remain restricted to the lesser of 25% or 25 people per space.

• Food must be available at all times in order to offer indoor service. This means that bars, taverns or breweries without a food license can reopen indoors as long as they partner with a food establishment so that food is available to patrons at all times (e.g., making menus available and allowing delivery, allowing patrons to order from third-party delivery services).

• Maximum of six patrons at indoor or outdoor tables

• Patrons can sit at bars, with six feet of social distancing between parties

• Face coverings must be worn at all times, except when patrons are seated and actively eating or drinking

• Patrons must be seated whenever they are eating or drinking

• Tables must be six feet apart

• Reservations are encouraged

• Two-hour time limit no longer required

• On-site service must end at 12am

• The sale of alcohol must end at 11pm, including alcohol sold for on-site consumption, delivery or carry out

Additional regulations for Event Venues will include:

• Indoor capacity will remain restricted to the lesser of 25% or 25 people per space.

• Indoor events will be able to serve food or drinks, but indoor service guidelines must be followed:

• Face coverings must be worn at all times, except when patrons are seated and actively eating or drinking

• Six people per table

• Patrons must be seated whenever they are eating or drinking

• Tables must be six feet apart

• Alcohol service must end at 11pm, and patrons must be off-premises by 12am

Click here to check which tier and phase regions are in currently.

Click here to read the FAQ from DCEO on what is allowed during each tier of mitigations.

Status of Indoor Dining at Restaurants by Region (as of Thursday, January 28)

• Indoor dining at restaurants is permitted in Regions 1, 2, 3, 5, and 6 at levels allowed in Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan, with occupancy limits determined by social distancing of six feet.

• Indoor dining at restaurants is now permitted in Regions 7, 8, 9, 10, and 11 at 25% occupancy or 25 people per room (whichever is fewer), as allowed in Tier 1 mitigations.

• Indoor dining at restaurants is not yet permitted in Region 4 which has only advanced to Tier 2 mitigations (where indoor service at restaurants is not permitted).

National Restaurant Association on Raise the Wage Act

Earlier this week, Representatives Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Bobby Scott (D-VA), Stephanie Murphy (D-FL), Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Patty Murray (D-WA), reintroduced the “Raise the Wage Act of 2021,” which would increase the federal minimum wage from the current $7.25 per hour to $15 per hour over five years and eliminate the tip credit over seven years. Following that, the federal minimum wage would be indexed to median wage growth.

If the bill were passed into law today, it would not have an impact on any of our straight minimum wage rates in Chicago, Cook County, or Illinois until 2025; it would impact the tipped wage rates in Chicago in 2024, and the tipped wage rates in Cook County/Illinois in 2023. 

According to Sean Kennedy, Executive Vice President of Public Affairs for the National Restaurant Association, “the Raise the Wage Act imposes an impossible challenge for the restaurant industry. While other businesses on Main Street are starting to see a recovery, restaurants across the country are struggling to stay open amidst indoor dining bans or limits that have been in place for ten months. The industry has laid off 2.5 million workers as a result of the pandemic, and 1 in 6 restaurants have shuttered."

“The restaurant industry needs time to recover, but at the same time, the National Restaurant Association and our members are ready to have a conversation about a balanced way to address wage levels in the foodservice industry. We hope that Congress and the Administration will appreciate the unique impact any change would have on the economic recovery of both our workers and restaurant operators.”

Click here to read the National Restaurant Association's full statement.

James Beard Foundation Greens Virtual Event - New Year, No Waste

Join JBF Greens Chicago Thursday, February 4 at 6:30 p.m. for a virtual version of our annual collaboration with Dineamic Hospitality, where we highlight innovative recipes and delicious solutions for reducing food waste. 

Executive chef Andrew Sikkelerus of Barrio and mixologist Pepe Fernandez will prepare a meal kit, including dinner and a cocktail for one (1) guest available for pick-up—and delivery!—from Barrio. As the new year kicks off, it’s time to embrace every top, bone, scrap, and seed as the building blocks of irresistible dishes. 

Click here to learn more.

Watch on Demand - Mental Health and Wellness Support for Restaurant Workers Webinar

Thank you to everyone that attended and our panelists from Hope for the Day, HUB International, and UnitedHealthcare for joining Thursday's webinar offering ideas, programs, and resources that may be helpful right now for addressing mental health concerns in the industry.

This webinar is being provided in partnership with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and the Cook County Community Recovery Initiative.

Click here to watch the webinar recording. Click here to download the slide presentation.

Send Us Your Valentine's Day Specials - Chicago Gourmet on Social

Chicago Gourmet is highlighting restaurants' Valentine's Day specials across our social media channels over the next several weeks.

If you would like to feature your restaurant's specials, please send a brief description, photo, link to reservations, and social media handles to chicagogourmet@illinoisrestaurants.org.

Opportunities for the Restaurant Industry in Orland Park

The Village of Orland Park has worked to be continually supportive of the restaurant community throughout the pandemic.

The Village Board created a 90-day, 50/50 sales tax sharing program in June of 2020 to provide financial assistance to small businesses. Then the Village implemented Shop OP and Dine OP. These programs provided rebates to shoppers and diners and were designed to attract more customers to Orland Park restaurants and shops. For 2021, the Village Board has waived liquor license fees for all existing restaurants in Orland Park and was able to reduce the Village’s portion of property taxes throughout the community. 

Currently, the Village has two incentive programs available for new restaurants looking to expand or move to Orland Park:

• Back-Fill Vacant Restaurant Program – Any owner or applicant that wishes to re-establish a restaurant in a currently vacant property may apply to the Village for inclusion in this program. Successful applicants are able to share in sales taxes derived from applicant’s property or business.

• Commercial Impact Program –New commercial projects can receive a 25% reduction on permit/impact fees and a 25% reduction on water tap fees. Additionally, projects are allowed to defer payment until issuance of the final occupancy certificate.

Contact the Village’s Economic Development Coordinator Alex Scharf to learn more.

Click here to read a letter from Mayor Keith Pekau with more information.