Consent for Delivery Bill, RRF Starts Monday, Michelin Stars
Friday, April 30, 2021
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 5:50 p.m. on Friday, April 30. *** Senate Advances Bill to Require Consent/Agreement Between Delivery Services and Restaurants The Illinois Senate has passed a bill introduced by Senator Melinda Bush (31st) that would prohibit a third party delivery service from delivering a restaurant's food or using their name, likeness, or menu without their consent or an agreement in place. The IRA is fully supportive of this legislation, and will work to ensure its passage through the Illinois General Assembly in the coming weeks. Click here to read more from Crain's Chicago Business. Click here to read the bill. RRF Applications Accepted Monday Morning, Application Portal Open, Webinar Next Week 
The SBA has officially announced new details on the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) and the timeline for applications. Registrations for the application are now open, and applications will be accepted by SBA starting Monday, May 3 at 11:00 a.m. (Central). We encourage all operators to apply as soon as the application is live, as there will likely not be enough funds to fulfill every application with the current round of funding. Click here to review a new step by step guide to applications from the National Restaurant Association Click here to review the updated FAQ sheet from the National Restaurant Association. Click here to watch the recording of the IRA's recent webinar on RRF with Bo Steiner, District Director, U.S. Small Business Administration, Illinois District Office.
In preparation, SBA recommends that operators familiarize themselves with the application process in advance to ensure a smooth and efficient application experience, specifically by: Please contact the SBA RRF support hotline at (844) 279-8898 with questions about applying. The Cook County COVID-19 Recovery Small Business Assistance Program is hosting a RRF webinar next Thursday, May 6 at 9:30 a.m. with Lendistry, the only SBA-designated Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) to provide access to the RRF application. Click here to register for the webinar. Suburban Cook County Restaurant Worker Vaccination Days - Every Monday in May 
Yesterday, IRA President & CEO Sam Toia joined Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and county health officials to announce upcoming Restaurant Worker Vaccination Days with Cook County starting Monday, May 3 at various locations in suburban Cook County. The events will be ongoing every Monday throughout May. Vaccinations are free, regardless of insurance or immigration status. Click here to make an appointment, or visit one of the county's walk-in vaccination sites. Click here to read more about the initiative from Chicago Sun-Times. 
Chicago and Cook County Update Reopening Regulations - Monday Webinar Yesterday, the city of Chicago and Cook County announced updates to their mitigation regulations for restaurants, bars, and events. Click here to read the full announcement on the launch of "Open Chicago" from the city of Chicago. The Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) will host a webinar on Monday, May 3 at 2:00 p.m. to review the new regulations and what businesses should plan for when the city reaches the Chicago Bridge Phase. Click here to register. Click here to read the city of Chicago's updated Phase 4 guidelines. Click here to review the full updated capacity limits by industry, including the prospective Chicago Bridge Phase guidelines that may be reached in the next two weeks. Click here to read Cook County's updated guidelines. Restaurants, bars, and event venues in the city of Chicago and Cook County should note the below updates: Restaurants and bars Indoor capacity can increase to the lesser of 50% or 100 people. Outdoor capacity remains at the lesser of 50% or 100 people Table size remains at six people indoors and 10 people outdoors for restaurants, bars, and events. Capacity at indoor events remains at 50% or no more than 50 people; capacity at outdoor events remains at 50% or no more than 100 people. Guests that are fully vaccinated – defined as 14 days after receiving their final vaccine dose – will not count towards capacity limits at private events such as weddings. Events must be at a licensed business, they cannot be open to the public, and guests must RSVP prior to the event. Event organizers are responsible for ensuring that exempted guests are vaccinated and must keep records that include first name, last name, date of final vaccination dose and an attestation that the individual is fully vaccinated Note - this provision does not yet apply to regular dining room occupancy at restaurants and bars, and only applies to private events. Events must take place at designated event venues (i.e., a restaurant cannot rent out their regular restaurant space for an event)
2021 Michelin Stars Announced The Michelin Guide has released its 2021 star ratings for Chicago. This year, the city was awarded one three-star designation, five two-star designations, and 18 one-star awards. Congratulations to all 24 restaurants that were recognized this year! Read more about the announcement from Eater Chicago.
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