Annual Meeting, PPP Limitations for Two Weeks, Cook County Liquor Licenses

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 7:35 p.m. on Monday, February 22.

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Sign Up for the 2021 Annual Meeting This Thursday

Register now to join the IRA this Thursday at 3:00 p.m. (Central) for our 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting.

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 sign up to attend.

PPP Applications Open Only to Businesses with Under 20 Employees for Two Week Period

Earlier today, President Biden announced that beginning this Wednesday, only businesses with fewer than 20 employees will be allowed to apply for Paycheck Protection Program loans for a 14-day period.

This limited application period will last from February 24 through March 10. Click here to read more from Restaurant Dive.

The IRA recently 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. 

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

Cook County Ordinance to Extend Liquor Licenses, Reduce Fees

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle has introduced an ordinance that would reduce county liquor license fee this year from $3,000 to $2,000, and extend current liquor licenses through June 30, 2021 due to COVID-19. The ordinance would also reduce the county beer garden license fee from $750 to $300.

If passed this week, the ordinance would go into effect immediately.

The IRA fully supports this initiative from President Preckwinkle, and we thank her for working to provide much-needed financial assistance to Cook County's hospitality industry.

Click here to read the ordinance.

Webinar on Workplace Legal Considerations for Vaccines and Distribution in Cook County

Join the IRA and panelists from the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) and Laner Muchin for a webinar this Thursday, February 25 at 10:00 a.m. providing info on the legal considerations for vaccine policies in the workplace as well as the current suburban Cook County vaccine rollout and eligibility.

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

**Este seminario web se transmitirá en inglés y español.**

**此网络研讨会有中文及英文两种放送版本**

Click here to register.

Updated Phase 4 Guidance - Six Feet of Social Distancing Between Seatbacks at Other Tables

The state of Illinois recently reissued its Phase 4 guidance for the restaurants and bars to clarify how establishments should determine six feet of social distancing between different parties.

Per the state guidelines, capacity is determined by arranging tables so that seated patrons are a minimum six feet away from patrons at other tables. Previously, tables needed to be spaced 6 feet apart. Now, the seatbacks at one table must be 6 feet from the seatbacks at the other table.

Click here to review the updated Phase IV guidelines.

Businesses located in the city of Chicago or Cook County must adhere to the guidelines in those municipalities.

Comcast RISE Investment Fund

Comcast recently announced the Comcast RISE Investment Fund, providing $5 million dollars in grants to hundreds of Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC)-owned small businesses in five cities nationwide, including $1 million in Chicago and Cook County.

From March 1 through March 14, eligible Chicago and Cook County businesses can apply for $10,000 grants. A total of 100 grants in Chicago and Cook County will be awarded in May 2021.

Click here to learn more.