Save Tip Credit, Cook County Property Tax Extension

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 7:00 p.m. on Monday, February 1.

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Take Action to Save the Tip Credit

There is a lot of change in Washington. We have new leaders in Congress and the White House, and the IRA and National Restaurant Association are already working with them on behalf of the restaurant industry. President Biden’s first order of business is to fast-track a COVID-19 relief bill through Congress, and we agree that long-term economic stimulus is needed. We remain focused on including the Senate version of the RESTAURANTS Act in any relief plan.

But the proposed plan also includes a national $15/hour minimum wage, and elimination of the tip credit that allows tipped servers to take home far more each week.

If passed into law, the bill would begin to impact the straight minimum wage rates in Chicago, Cook County, and state of Illinois in 2025. The bill would impact the tipped wage rates in Chicago in 2024, and the tipped wage rates in Cook County and state of Illinois in 2023. 

Now is not the time to rush through a bill that further sets back an industry that has endured more job loss and lost revenue than any other industry in the country.

Congress is drafting their stimulus plan now. We need you to weigh in today to ensure it doesn’t set back our restaurants and our tipped employees. 

Click here to send a message to Illinois Congressional leaders.

Region 7 Moves to Phase 4, Capacity Restrictions Remain in Region 11 (Chicago)



Today, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced Region 7, Kankakee and Will counties, is moving to Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan effective immediately. 

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 Monday, February 1)

• Indoor dining at restaurants is permitted in Regions 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 at levels allowed in Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan, with occupancy limits determined by social distancing of six feet.

• The city of Chicago (Region 11) has also advanced to Phase 4 of Restore Illinois; however, the city is currently maintaining occupancy restrictions at restaurants and bars at 25% occupancy or 25 people per room, (whichever is fewer).

• Click here to review the city of Chicago's current regulations for restaurants and bars. 

• Indoor dining at restaurants is now permitted in Regions 8, 9, and 10, 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 Regions 4, which has only advanced to Tier 2 mitigations.

Pay First Installment Cook County Property Taxes through May 3 with No Late Fee

Thanks to a change in the law, Cook County property owners have two extra months to pay their First Installment property tax bills without a late fee, through May 3.

The Cook County Board of Commissioners in November waived for two months the 1.5 percent per month late fee on all Tax Year 2020 property taxes. Taxpayers can pay the First Installment, due March 2 without a late fee through May 3. Late fees also will be waived for two months for the Second Installment, due later this year.

Property owners can pay their bills by visiting cookcountytreasurer.com and entering their street address.

Click here to read the full announcement from Cook County Treasurer Maria Pappas.

Deadline Approaching to Sign Up for Chicago Restaurant Week 2021

The deadline is quickly approaching to sign up to participate in the 14th annual Chicago Restaurant Week promotion taking place Friday, March 19 – Sunday, April 4. Chicago Restaurant Week has a history of generating significant awareness and sales for restaurants, and your participation is welcome.

Register and submit your menu(s) by Friday, February 12 to participate. This year, the program emphasis will be on dine in, take out, and delivery based on current city and state mandates. You must be a partner of Choose Chicago in order to participate.

All additional participation fees have been waived this year. For more information on Choose Chicago partnership opportunities and Chicago Restaurant Week please contact partnership@choosechicago.com.

Click here to learn more.

This Thursday - In the Kitchen Live! Event Benefits IRAEF

Tickets for the next In the Kitchen Live! event are now on sale! Please join Parachute chef and James Beard Winner Beverly Kim and Chicago magazine’s host, Emily Johnson, for an interactive Zoom dinner party and cooking event on Thursday, February 4 at 6:30 p.m.

A portion of the proceeds will benefit the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. 

Click here to learn more and purchase tickets.

Hinshaw Webinar - Medical Facts and Legal Options: COVID-19 Vaccines in the Workplace

Join Hinshaw & Culbertson - along with Dr. John Segreti, infectious disease expert with Rush University Medical Center in Chicago - Wednesday, February 3 at 12:00 p.m. (Central) for a timely and informative discussion on the medical issues related to the COVID-19 vaccine and the legal issues related to employer policy options.

This webinar will: answer your most pressing questions regarding the vaccine, discuss the pros and cons of mandatory vaccination, including encouraging or incentivizing vaccinations, and assist businesses and HR professionals with policy development

Click here to learn more and register.

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.