What Operators Need to Know - Phase 5

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 5:30 p.m. on Friday, June 11.

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City of Chicago, Cook County, State of Illinois Move to Phase 5 Starting Today

As of today, Friday, June 11, the state of Illinois, Cook County, and the city of Chicago have entered Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois plan. The city of Chicago and Cook County have aligned their Phase 5 regulations with those issued by the state of Illinois.

Click here to read the state's announcement on the move to Phase 5. Click here to read the city of Chicago's announcement.

"Today's reopening is truly symbolic of the resiliency of the hospitality industry," said Sam Toia, IRA President & CEO of the IRA. "For the past 14 months, we have proudly worked tirelessly on behalf of restaurants in every pocket of the city and state – collaborating with lawmakers at all levels to advocate for favorable business outcomes; providing countless resources and dozens of webinars in partnership with the Cook County Community Recovery Initiative addressing critical issues and best practices; establishing an emergency relief fund that has awarded more than $270,000 to hospitality workers in financial crisis; fought (and continue to fight) for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund and its replenishment; hosting numerous vaccination events; and more.

"The pandemic has been devastating for businesses, and we have heard and felt the impact from thousands of operators. Restaurants remain extremely vulnerable, and our work is far from over. But Friday represents a giant, positive step for Chicago, Cook County, and the entire state of Illinois. June 11, 2021 will come to represent a milestone breakthrough of this crisis – and the day our industry began to rebuild."

Click here to review the city of Chicago's Phase 5 recommendations. Click here to review the updated Cook County mitigation order.

The following provisions apply to businesses - including restaurants, bars, and event venues - effective Friday, June 11 across the state:

• Businesses are no longer required to mandate masks for guests or staff, or ensure social distancing between parties.

• Businesses are encouraged to continue to promote and support use of face coverings and continued social distancing for those unvaccinated persons that are still required under the latest Executive Order.

• Businesses should also confer with their local jurisdictions, as municipalities are permitted to require face coverings and social distancing as they deem appropriate.

• Businesses may operate at full capacity.

• There are no longer restrictions in place on various operations at restaurants/bars/events.

• Restrictions on table sizes, standing areas, dance floors, self-serve buffets, condiment placement, etc. no longer apply.

• Businesses are not required to enforce that unvaccinated people wear masks in their establishment.

• Masking is still required on public transportation, congregate facilities, health care facilities, schools, day cares, and educational institutions.

• Businesses are encouraged to continue to promote the relevant use of facial coverings especially in settings serving patrons that may be unvaccinated.

• Businesses and venues may continue to require face coverings and/or social distancing for guests and/or staff if they choose.

• Click here to download optional signage from the city of Chicago to communicate mask policies to customers.

*Please note - until Saturday, June 26 - when the statewide emergency order expires - Late Hour Liquor Licensees in the city of Chicago are required to have fully vaccinated customers only during late night operations. Bars or restaurants with a Tavern or Consumption on Premises-Incidental Activity License can operate under their normal hours - the vaccine-only requirement is in place only during late-night operations at businesses with a Late Hour License until June 26 (between 2:00 am and 4:00 am on Monday through Saturday mornings and between 3:00 am and 5:00 am on Sunday morning).

The city of Chicago's Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) will host a webinar to review Phase 5 regulations in Chicago on Monday, June 14 at 2:00 p.m. Click here to register.

Read more from Chicago Sun-Times.

Contact Matt Quinn with any questions about Phase 5 regulations and guidelines.

Tell Lawmakers to Support the $60B RRF Replenishment Act

Today, the $60B RRF Replenishment Act was introduced.

Congress heard our voice when they created the RRF – and they need to hear from us again to ensure it receives more funding. Many in Washington think that the return to indoor dining means that the restaurants will be fully back to normal within a few months. The truth is that this industry is incredibly vulnerable and faces a long path to recovery. We need this bill.

If you haven't done so already, please add your name to our call to action for lawmakers to replenish the RRF.

Mayor Lightfoot Announces Central City Recovery Roadmap and Street Activations

This week, Mayor Lightfoot and city leadership announced the Central City Recovery Roadmap, a guide to the revitalization of Chicago’s greater downtown area and street activations across the downtown area that encourages Chicago residents and visitors to come back downtown this summer and fall.  

The Central City Recovery Roadmap, issued by the City of Chicago and the Chicago Central Area Commission (CCAC), coordinates implementable actions across sectors to achieve a strong reopening this summer that will guide Chicago into full recovery over the next several years. A follow-up to the COVID-19 Recovery Plan, making Chicago the first major U.S. city to issue a recovery plan and created by the City’s Recovery Task Force, the Central City Recovery Roadmap provides immediate and near-term goals and actions across workstreams.  

The City of Chicago has also announced that it is partnering this summer and fall with major civic organizations to activate Michigan Avenue, LaSalle Street, and State Street with temporary street closures, arts and cultural programming, outdoor dining, and more – inviting office workers, residents and tourists downtown. These new programs include “Meet Me on The Mile,” sponsored by The Magnificent Mile Association; “Lunch on LaSalle,” sponsored by the Building Owners and Managers Association of Chicago (BOMA/Chicago); and “Sundays on State,” sponsored by the Chicago Loop Alliance. 

Click here to read more.

Watch on Demand - Restaurants Restored: Operating Safely and Vaccine Policies for Your Guests and Staff

Thank you to everyone that attended and our panelists from the Cook County Department of Public Health, the Restaurant Law Center, and law firm Cozen O'Connor for joining our webinar offering best practices for safely operating this summer and vaccine policy guidance for employers.

This webinar is 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.

Sign Up Now for the IRA Golf Classic

Tickets and sponsorships are now available for the IRA Annual Golf Classic at St. Andrews Golf & Country Club on Wednesday, August 4.

The day includes 18 holes of golf, breakfast, lunch, dinner reception and a silent auction & raffle. We are excited to be back, following guidelines and reconnecting on the links.

The Early Bird rate ends Thursday, July 1.

Contact Clare Boyce with any questions about the event.