Chicago Indoor Dining, DREAM Act, Outdoor Dining Design Webinar

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 6:40 p.m. on Monday, February 8.

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IRA Working to Loosen Chicago Indoor Dining Restrictions by Valentine's Day

The IRA continues to have productive discussions with city of Chicago officials regarding more pragmatic indoor dining regulations that will allow restaurant operators to serve more people safely. 

As COVID-19 indicators continue to improve, the city of Chicago may soon reevaluate its current indoor dining regulations. With Valentine's Day approaching, having additional opportunities to serve diners will be absolutely critical for restaurants that are struggling. 

Click here to read more from NBC5.

Watch: Federal Restaurant Relief Update

Last week was a busy one in Washington, as the Senate had major action on restaurant-specific relief, and we are continuing to voice our concerns with plans in Congress to eliminate the tip credit and quickly raise the minimum wage.

There are a lot of moving pieces, but the IRA and National Restaurant Association are working to bring about forward progress for the restaurant industry. 

Click here to watch a 90 second overview of everything underway right now.

February 2021 COVID-19 Restaurant Impact Survey

The IRA is partnering with the National Restaurant Association to gather critical data that will be very valuable to our ongoing advocacy and communications efforts during this crisis.

Please take two minutes to complete this new coronavirus restaurant impact survey. We very much appreciate you taking the time to share your insights.

DREAM Act Introduced to Provide Path to Citizenship

Last week, Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) introduced a new version of the Dream Act, which would provide a path to lawful status and citizenship to almost 2 million Dreamers — immigrants who were brought to the United States as children.

The bill would first create a conditional permanent resident status for these immigrants, allowing them to work and protecting them from deportation. If they meet certain conditions — pass a rigorous background and law enforcement check, maintain continued U.S. residency; graduate from high school or obtain a GED; pursue higher education — or serve in the military; maintain English proficiency and knowledge of U.S. history — they can transition to lawful permanent resident status.

The IRA is a proud founding member of the Illinois Business Immigration Coalition (IBIC), which supports bi-partisan solutions — such as the Durbin - Graham DREAM Act — that provide legal status and a path to citizenship for all of the 11 million undocumented in the U.S., including DREAMERS, agricultural workers, essential workers, and including those with insecure legal status like Temporary Protected Status holders.

Click here to read more from CNBC.

All Regions Now in Phase IV with Indoor Dining Allowed, Chicago and Cook County Maintain Restrictions

As the Monday, February 8:

• 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.

This Thursday - 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.