ProStart Invitational Week, Chicago Delivery Fee Cap

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 7:30 p.m. on Monday, April 19.

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ProStart Invitational Week Kicks Off, Sign Up to Attend Daily Events

This week, the IRA Educational Foundation is kicking off 2021 Virtual ProStart Invitational Week presented by Sysco today through Friday, April 23. Find more details and register for any of the upcoming events below.

Congratulations to all the ProStart students that participated in the Culinary and Management competitions, and thank you to Sysco for their support to make this week possible.

Our College Expo will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, April 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with 10 different colleges and universities available to discuss their academic programs, industry opportunities, and more. Click here to register.

On Wednesday, April 21, the Industry Panel moderated by Sysco leaders is scheduled for 1:30 to 2:30 p.m., following by the Teacher Development Session hosted by Chef Gabriel Freeman and Chef Phu Lu from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m.

The Awards Ceremony and Celebration will take place Thursday, April 22 from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Join us to celebrate this year’s competitors and winners for the ProStart Invitational Culinary and Management Competitions. Sysco’s Jeffrey Creswell, Regional Manager of Sales Strategy and Operations, will be the keynote speaker. Register here.

Contact IRAEF Executive Director Kristen Hodges for more information.

SBA Launches RRF Website, Register for IRA Webinar with SBA

Over the weekend, the Small Business Administration (SBA) released the dedicated website for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), including the sample grant program application and program guide.

Click here to review the RRF page of the SBA website.

The SBA has not yet announced when they will begin accepting applications.

The IRA and National Restaurant Association have reviewed early drafts of the application and discussed them with the SBA. Our FAQ document, released last week, reflects this.

Join the IRA on Monday, April 26 at 10:00 a.m. for an exclusive webinar with guest speaker Bo Steiner, District Director, U.S. Small Business Administration, Illinois District Office, to review the RRF program, documents needed for applications, and how to apply for this critical federal assistance.

Click here to register for the webinar.

Chicago Third Party Delivery Service Fee Cap on Restaurants Expires

As of Saturday, April 17, third party delivery services in the city of Chicago are no longer required to cap fees charged onto restaurants at 10% for delivery and 15% for total fees. The ordinance passed in November 2020 automatically expired after indoor dining was allowed in Chicago at 40% or greater capacity for 60 consecutive days.

The IRA is actively working to renew this fee cap requirement through legislation in the Chicago City Council.

Employee Criminal History Protections, Equal Pay Certification Bill Signed into Law

In late March, Governor Pritzker signed SB 1440 into law, which extends protections outlined in the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA) to any Illinois resident with a conviction record. Under this new law, Illinois employers can no longer disqualify a job applicant or employee with a conviction record unless it is substantially related to the job.

The law also amends the Illinois Equal Pay Act, requiring private-sector employers of more than 100 employees to obtain equal pay registration certificates from the Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL). The legislation requires qualifying employers to provide proof of the total wages paid each employee during the prior year as well as the gender, race and ethnicity of the employees. Equal pay certification must be obtained before March 23, 2024, and businesses must recertify every two years.

This legislation was one of four bills signed into law by Governor Pritzker that were components of the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus agenda earlier this year.

Click here to read the full announcement. Click here to read more from The State Journal-Register.

Click here to read an FAQ on the law and conviction record protections from the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR).

Webinar on Fresh Plans for Welcoming Guests: Indoor/Outdoor Spaces, Permits, and More

Join the IRA and panelists from Special Events Management, Gibsons Restaurant Group, and Christopoulos Law Group on Thursday, April 22 at 10:00 a.m. for a webinar offering ideas to make effective and creative use of all your space to serve guests, as well as expert guidance on permits and licenses. Hear how operators are transitioning their available guest space into spring & summer.

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

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

Click here to register.