SBA Tip Credit Roundtable, Mask Recommendations, New PPP Forgiveness Portal

Mask Recommendations in Chicago

Last week, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced updated mask guidance recommending that everyone over the age of two, regardless of vaccination status, wear masks in public indoor settings. Click here to read the announcement.

Furthermore, CDPH recommends businesses, employers, and event organizers require universal masking in all public indoor settings.

In order to slow the spread of COVID-19 and limit the potential for future mitigations, the IRA strongly recommends that Chicago restaurants, bars, and events follow CDPH's guidance for masks indoors.

We also encourage all diners, staff, and visitors to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Find vaccination sites in the city of Chicago and throughout the state of Illinois.

SBA Roundtable Tomorrow on DOL's Proposed Rule on Tip Credits

Restaurant operators are invited to join a U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), Office of Advocacy Labor Roundtable meeting virtually tomorrow, Tuesday, August 3 at 2:00 p.m. (Central) to discuss the Department of Labor's (DOL) Proposed Rule on Tip Credits. Angelo Amador, Senior Vice President of Legal Advocacy and Regulatory Counsel with the National Restaurant Association, will present at the meeting.

Please note that during the roundtable, SBA will not be seeking any collective consensus on the rule from attendees. Any comments made during this roundtable will not be considered official comments in this rulemaking process. 

Email Janis Reyes to RSVP to the meeting, held via Microsoft Teams. The meeting link will be distributed after you RSVP.

Background

On June 21, 2021, DOL released a proposed rule making changes to the tip credit regulations under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The Department is withdrawing a portion of the 2020 Tip Credit final rule that covers when employers can take the tip credit for tipped employees performing “dual jobs,” or both tipped and non-tipped duties.

The agency is reverting to the prior 80/20 rule, where an employer can only take a tip credit on work that directly supports tip-producing work if it is less than 20 percent of all hours worked during the work week. Additionally, this work that directly supports tip-producing work must be less than 30 continuous minutes to qualify for the tip credit. The proposal also clarifies what is considered tip work, work that directly supports tip-producing work, and non-tipped work. 

Click here to review the proposed rule and submit public comment.

New PPP Forgiveness Portal - Webinar Tomorrow Afternoon

If your Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan was under $150,000, you may receive an email with a link to a new PPP Forgiveness Portal.

SBA staff says the PPP Forgiveness Application should take less than 10 minutes to complete, with a customer service line to answer borrower questions. This permits borrowers to submit directly through SBA rather than with their banks.

Click here to learn more.

Join the National Restaurant Association tomorrow, Tuesday, August 3 at 2:00 p.m. (Central) for Eliminate PPP Loan Debt: Better to Ask for Forgiveness than Omission to discuss tips for PPP loan forgiveness and timely applications. There will also be time for questions with the panelists. Click here to register.

Restaurants Wanted for Guaranteed Rate Chicago Police Department Appreciation Day

In an expression of appreciation, Guaranteed Rate has generously volunteered to purchase meals for 6,000+ Chicago Police Department officers and staff on Wednesday, August 18.

IRA Chairman Sam Sanchez and Former IRA Chairman Jim Kallas serve on the Board of the Chicago Police Foundation, and are working to engage local restaurants in this event. Additional details:

• Meals will be paid for at $11.50 per meal

• Menu format should be a chilled handheld item, side dish, and snack

• Meals are needed for all three watches (noon, 7:00 p.m., and 2:00 a.m.)

• CPD will pick up meals from your establishment

• Restaurants should be prepared to offer 200-300 meals

For more information and to get involved, please contact Jim Kallas.

Sign Up Now for Hire Chicago - Starting Next Week

World Business Chicago and the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership are joining the city of Chicago to present Hire Chicago, a one-of-a-kind, five-week hybrid hiring event.

Starting the week of Monday, August 9, this hiring event will focus on the foodservice, hospitality, and tourism industries.

Hire Chicago will provide real opportunities for Chicagoans to pursue their passions through free virtual career exploration, learning, and hiring events in addition to in person support if needed, and provide employers the opportunity to find the diverse talent pipeline they need to remain competitive. 

Employers and job seekers can click here to register for the event.

Foxfire Lawsuit Update

Legal proceedings continue in the lawsuit brought by Foxfire restaurant in Geneva that claims that Governor Pritzker has overstepped his constitutional authority in placing restrictions on indoor restaurant dining and taverns as part of the state’s response to the pandemic.

The IRA previously filed an amicus brief in this case in support of Foxfire and the industry.

Click here to read more from Cook County Record.