40% Occupancy, 50 People/Space in Chicago

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 1:15 p.m. on Monday, February 12.

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Chicago Allows 40% Occupancy or 50 People Per Space in Restaurants and Bars

The city of Chicago has announced that restaurants and bars are permitted to have 40% occupancy indoors, or 50 people per space (whichever is less) effective immediately. This announcement comes after the city of Chicago has recorded fewer than 400 new COVID-19 cases per day, based on the seven-day rolling average, for each of the last three days, as outlined in last week's updated roadmap for the easing of restrictions.

Expansion to 50% capacity will now be possible if and when Chicago reaches “Moderate-Risk” in all four risk metrics and maintains those levels for a period of two weeks (one incubation period).

The IRA continues to advocate for Chicago restaurants, bars, and event venues to be able to serve more diners safely indoors - and be allowed to have more than 50 diners per space - as quickly as possible. We appreciate today's announcement as another step forward toward reopening and recovery.

Click here to review the updated regulations for restaurants and bars in the city of Chicago.

Cook County, which had recently aligned its reopening measures with the city of Chicago, has not yet made an announcement that it will adopt similar measures to allow for 40% occupancy or 50 people per space at restaurants and bars. We do, however, expect the county to align with the city of Chicago. Click here to review current guidelines for suburban Cook County.

Crain's on IRA Efforts to Prioritize Restaurant Workers for Vaccines

Crain's Chicago recently covered the IRA's ongoing efforts to urge the state to prioritize restaurant and hospitality workers in Phase 1B of vaccine distribution.

Last week, 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. 

Click here to read more.

Take Action on Raise the Wage Act

The National Restaurant Association just completed a national survey of restaurants, asking independents and franchises what impact the “Raise the Wage Act” would have on their recovery efforts and plans for 2021. The results are striking and Congress needs to hear that now is not the time to attach this to the stimulus bill being considered right now. 

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. 

Restaurant owners tell us that if “Raise the Wage” passes Congress later this month:

• 82% say it will have a negative impact on their ability to recover this year. 

• 98% will have to raise menu prices.

• 84% will likely cut jobs and employee hours from normal levels.

• 65% will add equipment or technology that reduces the need for employees in their restaurant.

These results make one point crystal clear – after seeing over 110,000 restaurants close and over 2.5 million jobs lost, increasing labor costs is going to make it more likely that more operators close their doors and lay off their staff. Tipped servers will lose with the end of a system that allows them to make $19-$25 an hour in tips under the current tip credit system.

An infographic with the survey findings is here.

Congress is looking to fast-track this bill in a matter of weeks. They need to hear from you to put a local connection to these national results.

Click here to take action now. Your answers to the questions asked will personalize your message to Congress.

Now Available - PPP Loans Through ACAP and The Loan Source

Last week, the IRA announced 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.

Next Week - IRA 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting

Join us next Thursday 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 induction of 2021 IRA Chairman Sam Sanchez of Third Coast Hospitality, 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.