Updates on Federal Relief, Min. Wage/Tip Credit

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 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 5.

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Restaurant Rescue Plan Included, Minimum Wage/Tip Credit Elimination Bill Blocked from Budget Amendment, RESTAURANTS Act Reintroduced

In an all-night voting blitz — dubbed a vote-a-rama — the Senate approved a budget resolution for President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package, which included several amendments that would impact the restaurant industry. The passage of the budget resolution will allow Democrats to pass President Biden's plan with a simple majority in the Senate. 

While voting began Thursday afternoon and lasted until early Friday morning, support for the Restaurant Rescue Plan came early in the process yesterday. A significant majority of senators, 90-10, signaled support to establish a $25 billion restaurant relief grant fund. The amendment is based on the RESTAURANTS Act, and establishes a Restaurant Revitalization Fund. No explicit details or eligibility requirements for the program were included. The Senate's strong vote reflected the Senate's interest moving forward to provide targeted grant relief for our industry.

In another vote, Senators approved a Republican amendment that would prohibit Congress from hiking the federal minimum wage to $15 per hour and eliminating the tip credit during the pandemic. Given the vote to block the minimum wage bill, it was not included in the approved budget resolution.

Following the vote on the budget amendment, a unified Senate/House $120 billion RESTAURANTS Act was introduced in the respective chambers. The National Restaurant Association collaborated with the House and Senate sponsors to develop the legislation. Click here to read the Association's full statement on the introduction of the new bill.

Click here to read more from Restaurant Dive.

Stay tuned for more updates from the IRA in the coming days about these federal proposals and ways to be engaged.

All Regions Advance to Phase IV, Chicago and Cook County Maintain Restrictions

As the Friday, February 5:

• Indoor dining at restaurants is permitted in Regions 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 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 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. 

• Cook County (Region 10) has also advanced to Phase 4 of Restore Illinois; however, the county is currently maintaining occupancy restrictions at restaurants and bars at 25% occupancy or 25 people per room, (whichever is fewer).

• Click here to review Cook County's current regulations for restaurants and bars. 

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

Join Us for the 2021 IRA Virtual Annual Meeting

Registration is now open for the IRA's 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting on Thursday, February 25 at 3:00 p.m. (Central).

In addition to industry updates and an outlook for the year, the meeting will include the approval of the 2021 slate of Officers, Board of Directors and Advisory Council, and honors for the 2020 Industry Award winners.

The meeting is complementary to attend, and is open to all restaurant and hospitality professionals and service providers to the industry.

Click here to register.

Next Week - Webinar on Serving Outdoors: How Restaurants Are Using Their Space In Winter



Join the IRA and designers from City Open Workshop and restaurant operators from ERIS Brewery and Ciderhouse, ROOH Chicago, and The Assembly American Bar & Café on Thursday, February 11 at 10:00 a.m. for a webinar offering ideas to safely and effectively use outdoor space to serve guests during winter.

Attendees will learn ideas and hear experiences of restaurants currently using their outdoor space.

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

Click here to register.