Vaccine Prioritization, PPP Partnership, Eat Your Heart Out on Valentine's Day Campaign

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 2:15 p.m. on Friday, February 12.

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IRA Advocating for Vaccine Prioritization for Restaurant Industry Workers

Yesterday, the IRA reiterated our call to state leaders to prioritize access to COVID-19 vaccines for our frontline restaurant and foodservice workforce in Phase 1B along with other essential workers. 

For months, the IRA has urged the state to allow restaurant and hospitality workers to have access to COVID-19 vaccines as soon as possible. As the vaccination process continues, accelerating the vaccine distribution for foodservice employees in Phase 1B will help keep our vital workers healthy and supporting their communities. 

Click here to read the IRA's letter to Governor Pritzker and state leaders. Read more from Eater Chicago.

Partnership with ACAP and The Loan Source to Facilitate PPP Loans

The IRA is excited to announce a new partnership with ACAP and The Loan Source to serve as a source to help restaurant and hospitality industry businesses apply for PPP loans, and streamline the process for loan forgiveness. 

ACAP & The Loan Source are experts in securing PPP loan funding fast from various lenders, while making the forgiveness process seamless. ACAP & The Loan Source manage $4.7 billion in PPP loans, helping service small business owners. By keeping the process simple, ACAP has been able to provide better services to save you time and money.

If you are seeking a lender to facilitate your PPP loan, please consider utilizing this resource for the hospitality industry. 

Click here to learn more and begin the process. Click here for additional resources for checking applications, forgiveness overviews, and more.

Contact The Loan Source with any questions.

Post on Social - Eat Your Heart Out at Illinois Restaurants on Valentine's Day

The IRA is encouraging diners to Eat Your Heart Out at Illinois Restaurants! this weekend.

Post the above graphic on your social media channels and encourage your networks to share the message as well with the below caption:

• This Valentine’s Day, Eat Your Heart Out at Illinois Restaurants! The holiday takes on special meaning this year, presenting a weekend-long opportunity to show your neighborhood restaurants the love at a time when they need it the most. Romantic dinner for two? Gal’s night? We promise your heart (and belly) will be full with tasting menus, meal kits, specialty cocktails, and all the dessert you can handle. Reserve ahead for safe dine-in, or pre-order now for carry-out and delivery. Tag your restaurant or favorite spots in the comments below, and please share! #FightForIllinoisRestaurants

Belle Meade Rapid Testing Solution for IRA Members

Please join Belle Meade for one of their informational Zoom Meetings on their Rapid COVID-19 testing platform exclusively for IRA members:

• Monday, February 15 at 2:30 p.m.

• Tuesday, February 16 at 2:30 p.m.

• Wednesday, February 17 at 2:30 p.m.

Click here to learn more. Join any of the meeting using this link. The Meeting ID is 312 266 1600, Passcode: 2021.

City Open Workshop - Office Hours Next Week for Dining Design Consultations

City Open Workshop is providing free consultations to restaurant and hospitality operators on their indoor and outdoor dining designs.

The next office hours for interested operators are on Monday, February 15 at 10:00 a.m. and Wednesday, February 17 at 4:30 p.m.

Click here to learn more and register to attend these complementary sessions.

All Regions Now in Phase IV, Chicago and Cook County Updates

As of Friday, February 12:

• 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 50 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 50 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.

Watch on Demand - Serving Outdoors: How Restaurants Are Using Their Space in Winter

Thank you to everyone that attended and our panelists from City Open Workshop, ERIS Brewery and Ciderhouse, ROOH Chicago, and The Assembly American Bar & Café for joining yesterday's webinar offering ideas to safely and effectively use outdoor space to serve guests during winter.

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

Click here to view the webinar recording. Click here to download the presentation.