SBA Starts Distributing RRF, Alcohol Taxes, Springfield Lobby Day

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 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 11.

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SBA Starts to Distribute RRF Funds, Call to Action Launch for More Funding Coming Tomorrow

Today, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has begun delivering economic relief from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) to more than 16,000 approved applicants. This first round of funding represents over $2 billion of relief awarded since last Monday’s program launch.

Following the 21-day priority period, all eligible applications will be funded in the order in which they have been received. While the SBA will continue accepting applications from any eligible establishment until funds are exhausted, the number of applications received so far is expected to exceed the funds authorized to the RRF.

Click here to read the full announcement from SBA.

Tomorrow, the IRA is launching a new call to action with the National Restaurant Association to urge Congress to replenish RRF funds as soon as possible. Stay tuned for more information.

• Click here to review a step by step guide to RRF applications from the National Restaurant Association.

• Click here to review a new next steps guide after operators apply for and receive an RRF grant.

• Click here to review the FAQ sheet.

Please contact the SBA RRF support hotline at (844) 279-8898 with questions about applying.

House Resolution to Stop New Alcohol Taxes

The IRA is a member of the Coalition to Rebuild Illinois’ Hospitality Industry that is working to ensure the state of Illinois does not consider any new taxes on beer, wine, and spirits.

Thanks to the efforts of the coalition, 61 members of the Illinois House have now cosponsored a resolution opposing any new excise taxes on alcohol. We thank the members of the House that have expressed their support of our industry through the resolution.

Click here to read the resolution. Click here to read more from WAND.

Illinois/Chicago Bridge Phase to Start This Friday, May 14

Governor Pritzker recently announced that the state of Illinois will reach the Bridge to Phase 5 on Friday, May 14. In the state of Illinois' Bridge to Phase 5, indoor standing area occupancy at restaurants and bars will be increased to 30%, and outdoor standing area occupancy will be increased to 50% (up from 25% currently).

The IRA has confirmed that the city of Chicago will also soon announce that its own Bridge Phase will begin on Friday, May 14. More details will be made available from the city in the next few days.

In the city of Chicago's Bridge Phase, Chicago restaurants and bars will be permitted to have 75% occupancy (with 6 feet of social distancing between parties), table sizes up to 10, and standing areas will be allowed with 25% occupancy. We are strongly advocating for longer hours of operation for liquor licensees as well.

We expect Cook County to align with the city of Chicago on its Bridge Phase. Click here to review Cook County's current reopening regulations.

Join Us Next Monday for Springfield Lobby Day

Join the IRA for our 2021 Virtual Springfield Lobby Day on Monday, May 10.

We plan to have one, 60-minute group meeting with members of leadership in both chambers. The meeting is tentatively scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on Monday.

Click here to register, and contact Matt Quinn for more information. 

Sherman Dodge/Chicago Football Classic Donate to IRAEF Employee Relief Fund

The IRA would like to sincerely thank Sherman Dodge and the Chicago Football Classic for their generous donation of $5,000 to the IRAEF Employee Relief Fund. Special thanks to Former IRA Chairman and Chicago Football Classic Founder Everett Rand for the contribution.

Click here to read more from The Chicago Crusader.

Contact Kristen Hodges for more information about getting engaged with the IRAEF Employee Relief Fund.

ERTC Through December 2021 - Watch Webinar on Demand

The American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) has extended the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) beyond its scheduled expiration date of June 30, 2021. As a result, eligible employers will be able to claim the credit with respect to qualified wages paid through December 31, 2021.

Click here for an overview of the latest updates with ERTC.

Click here to watch a recent webinar recording from the National Restaurant Association focused on ERTC in the second half of 2021 and what operators need to know.

River Forest Restaurant Development Opportunity

The Village of River Forest is currently seeking an established multi-site restaurant operator to open an approximate 6,000 sq. ft. ground floor space at a new development located at the South-West corner of Park and Lathrop. There is potential that a larger square footage for restaurant operations could be provided. 

The building could be completed within 18 months time, and the Village would like to identify an established restaurant group that would like to expand into their community. The current list of businesses in River Forest lacks any full service restaurants with an incidental license to sell alcoholic beverages. 

The site location is a short walk to the Metra River Forest and Harlem trains, as well as the Harlem Green line CTA offering numerous commuting options for restaurant staff. 

Interested operators can contact Lee Neubecker, Chairman of the River Forest Economic Development Commisson, for more information.