Chicago Alfresco Program, EIDL Extensions, 90 Second Federal Update

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 5:25 p.m. on Monday, March 22.

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Chicago Alfresco Applications Now Available for Community Organizations to Create Outdoor Spaces

Mayor Lightfoot, Choose Chicago and the Chicago Department of Transportation recently announced Chicago Alfresco, an initiative to increase outdoor dining area and the opportunity for businesses and community organizations to design creative long-term outdoor spaces. 

Click here to read the full announcement.

Last year, the City introduced special permits that allowed bars and restaurants to operate outside in private parking lots, on the sidewalk or in closed streets through the Expanded Outdoor Dining program. While that program will continue as it did last year, the City is now encouraging chambers of commerce and other neighborhood community groups to think beyond emergency traffic barricades and construction cones to propose and build design-forward outdoor community spaces through Chicago Alfresco.

The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) is now seeking Chicago Alfresco proposals from community organizations such as chambers of commerce, Special Service Area providers, and other not-for-profit organizations interested in creating longer-term active community spaces that support outdoor dining or highlight community-focused placemaking, support community identity, and provide opportunities for public enjoyment.

Interested neighborhood organizations can find more information at chicago.gov/alfresco. The first round of Chicago Alfresco proposals from neighborhood organizations are now being accepted until April 15. The City will approve the first round of plans by April 30.

A virtual webinar will be held on Friday, March 26 at 3:00 p.m. to answer any questions regarding the Chicago Alfresco Call for Projects. Click here to register for the webinar.

Read more about the program from Chicago Sun-Times.

90 Second Federal Update - RRF Status, Public Affairs Conference, and More

Last week was a busy one in Washington, and this week’s 90-Second Update brings you fully up to speed. Learn the latest on timing of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, possible changes in the Paycheck Protection Program, and the latest on immigration legislation in Congress.

Finally, the annual Public Affairs Conference is less than a month away on Wednesday, April 20. Mayor Rahm Emanuel will be the keynote speaker at the event.

Click here to register to join the IRA on April 20. IRA members receive $25 off registration with the promo code PAFCMEMBER.

State Expanded Reopening Plan, No Changes in Chicago Yet

Last week, the state of Illinois announced an expanded reopening plan in the Restore Illinois framework. Once 70% of residents 65 and older statewide have received their first dose of the vaccine and no increase in COVID-19 metrics is recorded, the state will move into the new Bridge Phase (4B). Click here to read the full Bridge to Phase 5 guidelines.

It is important to note that this updated plan does not currently affect regulations in the city of Chicago. The city of Chicago is expected to issue new guidance in the coming days, and Cook County typically aligns its guidance with the city of Chicago.

Outside of Chicago

Under the current Phase 4 guidelines, seating capacity in restaurants remains the same. Patrons must be 6ft apart and parties must be 10 or less. Standing areas remain at 25% capacity. Restaurant seating capacity is not affected by whether or not patrons have been fully vaccinated or have had a negative test within the past 1-3 days.

Event venues and restaurant private dining rooms, who are hosting indoor social events, may currently serve the lesser of 50 people or 50% capacity. Social events being held outdoor may serve the lesser of 100 people or 50% capacity. For these social events, capacity can increase immediately if individuals have proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID test 1-3 days prior to an event. The IRA has asked the state for guidance on how these records are to be maintained and by whom. All guests, regardless of a full vaccination or a negative test, must still follow social distancing guidelines, be seated 6 ft. apart and wear a mask.

Please check with your local municipalities to confirm they are implementing the state’s new guidance.

City of Chicago

As of today, there has been no change to the city of Chicago's regulations. Seated areas in dining rooms remain at 50% capacity or 50 people within one room or space, whichever is less. Patrons must be seated 6 feet apart and parties must be 6 people or less. Restaurants may use impermeable barriers, such as plexiglass, in order to divide rooms into multiple spaces.

For event venues and restaurant private dining rooms, indoor social events are allowed at 50% capacity with no more than 50 individuals total, while following all indoor dining guidelines.

The state provision, mentioned above, that allows for increased capacity at social events for individuals with proof of full vaccination or a negative COVID test 1-3 days prior does not currently apply in Chicago. 

Ecolab Supports ProStart with $750,000 in Grants Across Country

The IRA would like to thank Ecolab for its generous donation of $15,300 to the IRA Educational Foundation through the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. In total, Ecolab has contributed $750,000 to state restaurant associations educational foundations for training, supplies, and more for students around the country.

Click here to get involved with the IRAEF or make a contribution today.

SBA Extends Deferment Period for All COVID-19 EIDL and Other Disaster Loans until 2022

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced extended deferment periods for all disaster loans, including the COVID-19 Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program, until 2022.

• All SBA disaster loans made in calendar year 2020, including COVID-19 EIDL, will have a first payment due date extended from 12-months to 24-months from the date of the note.

• All SBA disaster loans made in calendar year 2021, including COVID-19 EIDL, will have a first payment due date extended from 12-months to 18-months from the date of the note.

Existing SBA disaster loans approved prior to 2020 in regular servicing status as of March 1, 2020, received an automatic deferment of principal and interest payments through December 31, 2020. This initial deferment period was subsequently extended through March 31, 2021. An additional 12-month deferment of principal and interest payments will be automatically granted to these borrowers. Borrowers will resume their regular payment schedule with the payment immediately preceding March 31, 2022, unless the borrower voluntarily continues to make payments while on deferment. It is important to note that the interest will continue to accrue on the outstanding balance of the loan throughout the duration of the deferment.

Click here to read more.