Bridge Phase, Longer Hours, Occupancy/Vaccinations Updates, CDC on Masks

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 4:15 p.m. on Thursday, May 13.

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Illinois, Cook County, Chicago Bridge Phases Start Tomorrow - Regular Hours for Liquor Sales, Vaccine Exemptions for Occupancy, Larger Table Sizes

Starting tomorrow, Friday, May 14, the state of Illinois, Cook County, and city of Chicago will all move into their respective Bridge Phases. The city of Chicago and Cook County continue to align on their overall regulations for reopening, which now include several optional vaccination exemptions that impact occupancy and table sizes.

The IRA has been advocating for months for expanded reopening and flexibility for restaurants, bars, and events to operate.

Click here to read the full announcement from the city of Chicago.

Effective tomorrow in Chicago and Cook County:

• Restaurants and bars can operate at 75% occupancy (with six feet of social distancing between parties).

• Social distancing of six feet between parties must be maintained at all times.

• Restaurants and bars can operate within their regular liquor license hours.

• This provision applies to licensees in the city of Chicago, as Cook County does not address hours of operation for liquor licensees in their regulations.

• This means that licensees can stay open until 2:00 am Monday mornings through Saturday mornings and 3:00 am Sunday mornings.

• Establishments with a Late Hour Liquor License can operate without hour restrictions if only fully vaccinated patrons and no unvaccinated patrons are permitted to enter.

• This will allow Late Hour establishments to stay open until 4:00 am Monday through Saturday morning and 5:00 am on Sunday morning if all patrons are fully vaccinated during late hour operations.

• Table/party sizes can be increased to 10 per table.

• Bars, restaurants, and other establishments that allow onsite consumption of food or alcohol can increase table or party size above the limit of 10 if all patrons age 16+ at that table or within that party are fully vaccinated.

• Seating at bars/counters is limited to 6 per party indoors and outdoors.

• If an establishment chooses to take advantage of the Vaccine Exemption, table or party size can increase above this limit only if every patron within a party that is 16 or older is fully vaccinated.

• Standing areas may be open for the first time at 25% capacity.

• Individual parties must maintain social distancing.

• Social events can increase capacity to 250 people indoors or 500 people outdoors.

Click here to review the FAQ on vaccination exemptions as it relates to occupancy and table sizes, including recordkeeping, tracking, and compliance guidance. The IRA is in communication with the city and county to confirm the acceptable processes by which operators will be allowed to track vaccinated individuals. We expect further guidance to come out on this subject tomorrow.

Click here to review the full Bridge Phase guidelines for Chicago. Click here to review the full Bridge Phase guidelines for Cook County.

Effective tomorrow in the state of Illinois (outside of Chicago and Cook County):

• Occupancy continues to be determined by six feet of social distancing between parties.

• Restaurants and bars can continue to allow for a table/party size of up to 10, and more than 10 if the individuals provide proof of the vaccination or a negative COVID test.

• 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).

• Social events can increase to 250 people indoors or 500 people outdoors.

Click here to review the state of Illinois' FAQ on Phase 4 and the Bridge to Phase 5.

Click here to review the state of Illinois' Bridge to Phase 5 guidelines.

CDC Issues New Mask Guidance, No Changes Yet in Illinois

Earlier today, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that people fully vaccinated against COVID-19 do not need to wear masks or practice social distancing indoors or outdoors, except under certain circumstances.

Businesses and diners must continue to follow local and state regulations related to mask usage. The city of Chicago, Cook County, and state of Illinois have not yet made any modifications to their public health orders regarding the use of masks.

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) have expressed that they are supportive of the CDC's recommendations. The IRA will share the latest updates from local and state authorities as soon as they are available.

Click here to read more from CNN.

Add Your Name: Support More RRF Funding

Congress passed legislation creating a $28.6 billion recovery fund aimed at our nation’s struggling restaurant industry – a sector that has lost more jobs and more revenue than any other during the pandemic. 

On May 3, the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) began accepting applications. In the first 36 hours, more than 186,000 applications had been submitted, and the Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the first 16,000 applications had been funded with $2 billion. At this rate, the SBA will run out after the first two days of applications.

And that means hundreds of thousands of restaurants, bars, food trucks, and everything in between will be left waiting.

We are urging policymakers in Washington – from the White House to Capitol Hill – to replenish the RRF to maximize relief for small independent and franchise restaurant operators. Americans can’t wait to get back into their favorite restaurant with their family and friends, and the federal government can play a key role in making that a reality.

To amplify this effort, sign this petition calling on federal leaders to act now! Add your name to show your support of the restaurant industry.

Sign Up Now to Meet with State Leadership on Monday at 10:00 a.m.

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

We will have one, 60-minute group meeting at 10:00 a.m. with members of leadership in both chambers, including House Speaker Chris Welch, Senator Sara Feigenholtz, Senator Melinda Bush, Representative Ann Williams, and others.

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

IRA Staff Promotions and New Hires

The IRA is thrilled to announce several staff promotions and new roles for our team, including the following:

• Christine DeSousa - promoted to Director of Sales & Marketing

• Matt Quinn - promoted to Director of Government Relations & Communications

• Clare Boyce - promoted to Special Events Project Manager

• Derrika Soto - hired as Executive Assistant

Please join us in congratulating the group! Thanks to the entire IRA team for their continuous hard work and dedication to the industry.

IRA Testifies on Status of Industry Workforce at Committee Hearing

This week, IRA President & CEO Sam Toia testified at the Chicago City Council's Committee on Workforce Development regarding the current status of the industry's workforce, staffing concerns, and further supports needed to revive restaurants.

Toia noted industry concerns ranging from enhanced unemployment benefits, lack childcare options with closed schools, the need for immigration reform, and more.

Click here to read more from The Daily Line.

BACP Webinar Recording - Sidewalk Cafes and Other Outdoor Dining Options

The city of Chicago's Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection recently hosted a webinar to review sidewalk cafe permit applications and other outdoor dining options for restaurants and bars. Click here to watch the recording.

In April, BACP launched a new web portal that now processes all Public Way Use transactions, including new and renewal permit applications and permit fee payments online. This new online portal will also facilitate any Sidewalk Café permit renewals that have not yet been submitted, as BACP is no longer sending out the paper-based renewal application.

Click here to access the new online portal. Click here to download the industry notice.

Applicants will need to create an account in the new portal system and then search for their existing Public Way Use permits, including a Sidewalk Café permit, and claim it under their account. Once claimed, the applicant can then proceed in completing and submitting the Sidewalk Café renewal application.

Businesses looking to operate a new Sidewalk Café in 2021 will need to apply for a 2021 Sidewalk Café Permit. Such applications are also facilitated through the new online portal.

The Fifty/50 Group Distributing 1,000 Free Vaccines Next Week

Visit Roots Pizza/West Town Bakery in West Town next Tuesday, May 18 to receive a free Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Pre-registrations are preferred, and walk-ins are welcome.

Click here to learn more.