Vaccine Updates, Chicago Gourmet Tickets, Golf Classic Recap
Friday, August 6, 2021
IRA on Vaccines, NYC Vaccination Requirement for Indoor Dining Earlier this week, New York City announced that it would begin requiring that restaurants check for proof of vaccination for any customer wishing to eat inside a restaurant. The program will begin August 16, and enforcement will begin September 13. IRA President & CEO Sam Toia recently spoke on a panel on WTTW's Chicago Tonight and with Crain's Chicago Business about the prospect of vaccine passports, restaurant closures, and the urgent need for replenishing the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF). "We strongly encourage all diners, staff, and visitors to get vaccinated as soon as possible - so that a similar vaccine mandate or other restrictions for indoor dining are not necessary in the city of Chicago or state of Illinois," said Toia. "A big problem with a universal requirement is that it becomes the staff’s job to enforce the vaccination rules - something they aren’t trained for, and can lead to serious push-back from guests that don’t want to comply." The IRA remains in constant communication with local and state leaders and public health officials, and will continue to advocate for public policies that protect restaurants and allow them to continue to serve diners safely. Find vaccination sites in the city of Chicago and throughout the state of Illinois. Chicago Gourmet Tickets and Lineup Now Available 
The IRA is thrilled to announce the lineup for Chicago Gourmet 2021! Tickets for all events are now available. This September, join us and presenting sponsor Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits for a month-long celebration of food, wine, spirits and FUN. From daytime soirees to decadent dinners – and longtime fan favorites like the Hamburger Hop and Grand Cru – make memories for a lifetime as you reconnect with your favorite chefs, friends and fellow foodies. Read the full announcement here. Click here to learn more and purchase tickets today. Read more: IRA Golf Classic Recap 
This week, we got “Back to the Green” with more than 300 golfers participating in the 2021 IRA Golf Classic at St. Andrews Golf & Country Club. A special thank you to Presenting Sponsor Maestro Dobel, Golf Classic Committee Chair Steven Hartenstein of Phil Stefani Signature Restaurants, Sponsorship Chair Brad Maher of HMSHost as well as Anna Szczesniak of HMS Host, and the full committee for their hard work in making this event a huge success! Many thanks to all the sponsors who made this event possible: Eagle Sponsors HMS Host, Lakeshore Beverage, and Texas de Brazil Birdie Sponsors 8 Hospitality, Boston Beer Co., Care Roofing Inc., Cloud Kitchens, Coca-Cola, C-Soap by Coker Service, Inc., Edward Don, Ecolab, EMPLOYERS, Fifth Third Bank, Four Corners, Gage Hospitality, Gator Chef, Gold Rush Gaming, Gordon Food Service, Heartland, Heineken, HUB, IGS Energy, J&J Gaming, JAB Produce, Lagunitas, One Off Hospitality, Pepsi, Performance Foodservice, Provant Group, Signature Bank, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, Sysco, The Grove, Inc., Unimail-Rodamco-Westfield, UnitedHealthcare, US Foods, Vizzy, and Wintrust Hole Sponsors Ballyhoo Hospitality, Belvedere Vodka, Bottleneck Management, Chopin Vodka, Cutwater Spirits, Dom’s Kitchen, Dos Hombres, FoodFleet, Franco’s Restaurant, Frankly Vodka, Freshie, Glenmorangie, Goose Island, Legacy Hospitality, Maragos & Maragos, Michelob Ultra, Reyes Holdings, SmithAmundsen, Spectra, The Dearborn, The Paramount Group, Vaughan Hospitality, White Claw, Whitely Neill Handcrafted Gin, ZYR Vodka Restaurants BrewSmart, Churro Factory, Connie’s Pizza, Eli's Cheesecake, Esperanza, Foodville, Gaylord, Lou Malnati’s, Manny’s Deli, Mariano’s, Moretti’s, Murray Bros. Caddy Shack, Old Crow, Tao, Turano Baking Co. Tips are Eligible Wages for Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) Positive news for restaurants accessing the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC): businesses can claim tips paid by customers in excess of $20 per month as eligible wages for ERTC, and businesses can receive both the ERTC and the section 45B credit for the same wages. Eligible businesses can access 50% of up to $10,000 in eligible wages for ERTC in 2020, for a total of $5,000. In 2021, that percentage rises to 70% of up to $10,000 in eligible wages during each calendar quarter, for a total of $7,000 each quarter. Be advised: a prominent infrastructure proposal in the U.S. Senate would end ERTC by September 30, 2021. This is welcome guidance after the National Restaurant Association worked with Congress and the Administration to clarify eligible wages and tips. We thank the restaurants and other hospitality businesses who illustrated this issue and helped identify the need to update ERTC guidance. Click here to read the guidance from the IRS. Relevant sections are on pages 20-24. DOL Repeals Joint Employer Final Rule Under the prior Administration, the Department of Labor (DOL) outlined a framework to determine when one or more employers could be deemed joint employers when exercising control and supervision over an employee. The rule was repealed last week. “The joint employer standard is the bedrock of American business relationships,” says the National Restaurant Association’s VP of Public Policy & Legal Advocacy, Shannon Meade. “The decision by the DOL to rescind the Joint Employer Final Rule issued by the previous Administration removes the clarity and certainty that thousands of small business restaurant owners and their employees need. This move will create inconsistencies in how the courts evaluate joint employment and undermine regulatory and legal compliance obligations that could have long-term effects on the industry’s ability to rebuild and grow.” Click here to read the full statement. Cook County Receives $1.25M to Support Small Businesses, IRA to Serve as Supporting Organization The Illinois Department of Economic Opportunity (DCEO)’s has awarded $744,600 as part of its Community Navigator Program and the We Rise Together coalition has awarded $500,000 to support the Cook County Small Business Assistance Program. Combined, the new resources will support the County’s nationally recognized Small Business Assistance program to further support recovery efforts for small businesses. Cook County will serve as one of 13 “Hubs” in the State of Illinois’ $9 million Community Navigator Program and will focus its efforts to build awareness and ensure available federal, state, and local funding is easily accessible to minorities and hard to reach small businesses. As a Hub, Cook County has enlisted 10 of the region’s leading business support organizations to provide business coaching services. The IRA is proud to serve as one of 10 network "spokes" to facilitate the program and continue our work with Cook County to provide assistance to businesses in need. Click here to read more. Tell Cook County How It Should Use American Rescue Plan Act Funds Cook County recently launched an Engage Cook County website to serve as a hub for community engagement on American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The county is asking local businesses to complete to a 2-minute survey that provides an opportunity to share your opinion about how Cook County should spend its $1 billion in ARPA funds. The survey is available in English and Spanish and can be accessed online by visiting: www.engagecookcounty.com. The results of these surveys will be incorporated into the feedback process and reviewed by the Executive Leadership Council. The deadline to submit is today, Friday, August 6.
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