Back to Business Grants, Masks in Chicago, Chefs Hall of Fame Dinner

Back to Business Grants - Application Available Wednesday, August 18

Today, Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) announced the $250 million Back to Business (B2B) grant program to support the continued recovery of small businesses across Illinois.

While many business types and industries may apply, businesses in the following industries will be given priority status for grants: restaurants and taverns; hotels; arts businesses and organizations; and more. Additionally, businesses located within Disproportionately Impacted Areas (DIAs) will be prioritized.

B2B seeks to restore operational losses incurred during the COVID-19 pandemic and will provide grants ranging in size from $5,000-$150,000, commensurate with the amount of losses experienced. To be considered for a grant, applicants must demonstrate a reduction in revenue in 2020 as compared with 2019, and annual revenues of no more than $20 million in 2019. Priority will be given to businesses who have yet to qualify for state funding or federal assistance (including the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), business Interruption Grant (BIG), Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (SVOG), and more).

Click here to learn more about the program. Click here to review the program FAQ. Click here to review the documents required to apply.

The application portal will open on Wednesday, August 18.

Chicago Mask Mandate Expected Soon

This afternoon, the IRA participated in a meeting with the Mayor's office and city of Chicago officials who noted that the city plans to impose a mask mandate in the coming days if the daily seven-day rolling average of cases exceeds 400 cases. The current rolling average is 364 cases, up from the 271 cases reported on August 1. This action would mirror guidance from the CDC that recommends masks when an area reaches a “substantial transmission” category.

The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) will provide a public update tomorrow. Given the increase in cases as a result of the Delta variant, we expect that the requirement could be issued by the end of the week.

The IRA will provide further updates and official details as soon as they are available. We do anticipate the updated order will give businesses some time to comply, and will be similar to the mask mandate in place previously in Chicago. Last year's Executive Order related to masks in Chicago can be found here. Below are details from the previous mask requirement in Chicago:

• Applicable to all public indoor spaces

• All individuals would be required to wear a mask regardless of vaccine status

• Enforcement is largely left to businesses

• City health officials or law enforcement could also enforce the order if they see violations

At this time, there will not be a vaccine mandate or additional restrictions imposed such as limits on capacity, hours, or table sizes. If and when the mask mandate is announced, the IRA will provide additional details.

Infrastructure Bill Includes Cut to ERTC Claim Period

Earlier this week, the Senate passed a $1.2T infrastructure package, reauthorizing spending on existing federal public-works programs and to fund improvements to the electrical grid and water projects. The final bill also includes a provision to end the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) on Sept. 30. The bill now goes to the House for consideration.

“Overall, our country and our industry rely on an efficient national infrastructure, and this measure definitely makes the investments that we will need in the long-term—funding for new programs to encourage truck driving and recycling initiatives, for example, that will further advance the future of the restaurant industry. We applaud this leadership from Congress,” said Sean Kennedy, EVP of Public Affairs for the National Restaurant Association. “But in the short-term, our industry continues to languish with an uncertain workforce, rising food costs, and the threat of new pandemic mandates. This bill shortens the use of one of the only recovery tools available to us—the Employee Retention Tax Credit. This action increases our need for Congress to act on behalf of the restaurant industry and replenish the RRF in the planned reconciliation bill.”

City of Chicago Projects $733 Million Gap in 2022 Fiscal Year Budget

Today, Mayor Lightfoot, Budget Director Susie Park, Chief Financial Officer Jennie Huang Bennett, and Comptroller Reshma Soni released the 2022 Budget Forecast, which projects a $733 million budget gap for fiscal year 2022.

In addition to the 2022 budget gap, the City’s Budget Forecast provides year-end estimates for 2021 and amended obligations that must be addressed in 2021. The City’s strategy to address those obligations will include a combination of solutions to ensure that the year ends with balanced revenues and expenditures. Those proposed solutions include savings from refinancing outstanding debt in the current low interest rate environment, using American Rescue Plan (ARP) dollars for revenue replacement, and looking to create governmental efficiencies. 

As budget season approaches, the IRA will continue to work to protect the hospitality industry from any tax and fee increases that would further burden Chicago's restaurants at a time when they can least afford it.

Click here to read the announcement, budget forecast, and forecast summary.

Chicago Chefs Hall of Fame Dinner

Join the IRA on Monday, October 4 at the Chicago Culinary Museum and Chefs Hall of Fame annual dinner at Joe's Live in Rosemont. The 2021 event theme is Inspirational Women in the Hospitality Industry.  

We are incredibly proud and excited to support IRA Executive Vice President Mary Kay Bonoma, who is being honored as an Industry Leader. Also being honored at the event:

• Sarah Grueneberg, Chef of the Year 

• Meg Galus, Pastry Chef of the Year 

• Ina Pinkney, Legendary Chef 

Click here to purchase tickets. Contact Kyle Richardson for information on sponsorship opportunities.