Chicago Outdoor Dining, RRF Timeline, PPP Deadline Extended

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 5:55 p.m. on Thursday, March 25.

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Chicago Updates Reopening Guidelines, 10 Diners Allowed at Outdoor Tables

Today, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) announced updated COVID-19 regulations for Chicago businesses. According to the city, due to worrying increases in health metrics in recent weeks, most indoor regulations will remain in place, while outdoor capacity limits will increase at certain establishments to allow for safe activities in outdoor spaces

CDPH will evaluate the metrics again in one week to determine if and how Chicago could loosen regulations and move to a “Bridge to Phase 5.”

Below are the regulations currently in effect for Chicago restaurants, bars, and events:

• Indoor capacity at bars, restaurants, and social events will remain limited to the lesser of 50% capacity or 50 people per room or floor. 

• In each setting, six feet of physical distance must be maintained between different parties. 

• Seated areas in dining rooms remain at 50% capacity or 50 people within one room or space, whichever is less. Patrons must be seated 6ft 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 following outdoor capacity changes will take effect immediately in Chicago:

• Bars and restaurants: maximum outdoor table size can increase to 10 people, with tables set up so that patrons are six feet from patrons at other tables

• Social events (e.g. weddings, potlucks and other community events): total outdoor capacity can increase to the lesser of 50% or 100 people

• In Chicago, all patrons will continue to count towards capacity limits, even if they are fully vaccinated or have a recent negative test.

Click here to read the full announcement.

Click here to visit the city's Reopening Businesses Portal for the latest guidelines.

Cook County, which has recently aligned its reopening measures with the city of Chicago, has not yet made an announcement that it will adopt similar measures as the city. Click here to review current guidelines for suburban Cook County.

Click here to review current Phase 4 guidelines for the state of Illinois, which apply to restaurants and bars outside of Chicago and Cook County.

Restaurant Revitalization Fund Application Timeline Announced by Small Business Administration

Today, the Small Business Administration (SBA) announced a “phased launch” of the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) program to begin in April, over the next 30 to 45 days.

The IRA and National Restaurant Association are working with the SBA to get the RRF up and running as soon as possible. 

Click here for a breakdown of the RRF, what you can do to prepare to apply, and more at RestaurantsAct.com.

Senate Votes to Extend PPP for Two Months

Earlier today, the U.S. Senate passed a bill - already passed by House - that extends the PPP application deadline (currently March 31, 2021) for two months, to May 31, 2021.

It also provides an additional 30 days, after May 31st, for the Small Business Administration (SBA) to process pending applications.

Be sure to utilize the IRA partnership with ACAP and The Loan Source if you still need your PPP loan. 

Immigration Reform Update

A week ago today, House Democrats and nine Republicans passed the American Dream and Promise Act (H.R. 6). The legislation would provide approximately 2.5 million “Dreamers” and beneficiaries of certain humanitarian programs the ability to garner permanent legal status and eventually citizenship.

The IRA and National Restaurant Association were supportive, and are encouraging Senate to act. 

Senators Durbin and Lindsey Graham introduced the DREAM Act of 2021 in January. While progress was growing on the issue, it hit a substantial roadblock – specifically the crisis at the border. Senator Graham has made clear that if the bill would come to a vote today, he would oppose it and believes it would be very difficult to garner any substantial Republican support. 

The bipartisan Group of 20 (G-20) Senators that has formed to work in a bipartisan manner on key issues, could look at this issue moving forward. But, to date, they are realistic about the current challenges, particularly in light of the border crisis. Without consensus on corresponding border security and other safeguards, the legislation will likely remain stalled. 

We will continue to encourage both sides to work together toward a pathway that can secure borders, without inhibiting legitimate travel and tourism, and providing a pathway for legalization for Dreamers.

Watch on Demand - Webinar on Ordering, Staffing, and Investing for Spring and Beyond

Thank you to everyone that attended and our panelists from Gordon Food Service, the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, and Vintro for joining this morning's webinar offering practical advice on ordering and staffing up this Spring, as well as investor funding opportunities to position your restaurant for the future.

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

Click here to watch the webinar recording. Click here to download the slide presentation.