Extended Driver's Licenses, Workplace Issues, BACP Commissioner Retiring

State Extends Driver’s License and ID Card Expiration Dates until January 1, 2022

Restaurants and bars should be advised that Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White recently announced that expiration dates for driver’s licenses and ID cards have been extended an additional five months — from Aug. 1, 2021, to Jan. 1, 2022.

The new Jan. 1, 2022 extension also includes expiration dates that will occur between July and December of this year. As a result, expired driver’s licenses and ID cards will remain valid until Jan. 1, 2022 so customers do not need to rush into Driver Services facilities, especially during hot weather.

As a reminder, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has extended the federal REAL ID deadline to May 3, 2023.

Click here to read more.

Sam Toia, Sam Sanchez on Labor Shortages, Limited Hours at Restaurants

IRA President & CEO Sam Toia and IRA Chairman Sam Sanchez of Third Coast Hospitality recently spoke with CBS2 about how restaurants are facing ongoing labor shortages, often by limiting hours or closing on certain days of the week.

Both Toia and Sanchez noted the need for new legislation that would provide working visas for immigrants coming to the U.S. to work in hospitality, similar to what’s done for farm workers.

Click here to read more.

BACP, DCASE Commissioners Retiring, Ken Meyer To Serve as Acting BACP Commissioner

Today, Mayor Lightfoot announced that Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) Commissioner Rosa Escareño and Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) Commissioner Mark Kelly will retire from their positions as commissioners at the end of the month and in the fall, respectively. BACP’s First Deputy Commissioner Ken Meyer will serve as Acting Commissioner beginning in August.

The IRA would like to thank Commissioner Escareño for her years of service, and for her steadfast commitment to supporting the restaurant and hospitality industry of Chicago. We appreciate Commissioner Kelly's dedication to bolstering Chicago's arts scene and events like Taste of Chicago. We look forward to working with Acting BACP Commissioner Meyer to provide additional support and regulatory relief to Chicago's restaurants moving forward.

Click here to read the announcement.

Webinar Tomorrow - Returning to the Workplace: COVID-19 and the Federal EEOC Laws

Join Shannon Meade, Vice President of Public Policy and Legal Advocacy at the National Restaurant Association on Wednesday, July 14 at 2:00 p.m. (Central) as she hosts a webinar with special guest Sharon Rennert, Senior Attorney, Office of Legal Counsel at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), to address some of the biggest issues facing employers and employees as workplaces re-open. These include reviewing permissible disability-related inquiries and medical examinations used to ensure that those with COVID-19, or exposure to a person with COVID-19, are not in the workplace.

Also discussed will be confidentiality requirements and a range of reasonable accommodation issues involving employees with different disabilities, as well as individuals requiring religious accommodation. The program will also review the current EEOC guidance on COVID-19 vaccinations as well.

Click here to register.

Share Your Input in Our Latest Survey

The IRA is working with the National Restaurant Association to survey operators about what content and issues are most important to them in our email communications moving forward.

Click here to take a one minute survey.

Chicago Bears Small Business All-Pros Program Applications Now Live

The Chicago Bears are excited to announce the second year of our Small Business All-Pros Program aimed at bringing attention and support to businesses in need, this year with a tasty twist.

The 2021 Small Business All-Pros "Gameday Eats" edition will focus primarily on restaurants, who have taken an especially big hit. The Chicago Bears will provide four (4) locally-owned restaurants the opportunity to earn a month-long marketing partnership highlighting their business.

Application period open now through 11:59 pm on Monday, July 19. See official guidelines for more details. Must be the majority owner or otherwise be the authorized representative of a small business to apply.

Click here to read more.

ServSafe COVID-19 Operating Guidance Update Includes New OSHA Recommendations

This 6th edition of the Guidance incorporates changes reflecting the new OSHA guidelines for protecting workers. Key among them: Most employers no longer need to take steps to protect workers from COVID-19 exposure where all employees are fully vaccinated. However, there are still steps to be taken to protect employees who are either unvaccinated or otherwise at risk in the workplace.

Click here to download the new edition.

Tribune on Chicago Alfresco Program

IRA President & CEO Sam Toia recently spoke with Chicago Tribune about the roll out of the Chicago Alfresco program, which is working to make outdoor dining a permanent fixture across several Chicago neighborhoods.

Click here to read more.