Proof of Vaccination Guidance, B2B Opens Wednesday, Grand Cru

Vaccination Requirements: How to Handle Asking for Proof

The National Restaurant Association has developed guidance for restaurants that choose to implement a proof of vaccination requirement for guests or staff. Before you ask for proof of vaccination, be aware of and prepare for legal and logistical ramifications to enforce the policy.

Click here to read the guidance.

Back to Business Grant Application Available This Wednesday

The application portal for the state's $250M Back to Business grant program opens this Wednesday, August 18.

What You Need to Know

• $25M in grant funding is prioritized for restaurants and bars that did not receive a Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) grant.

• Grants will range in size from $5,000-$150,000, commensurate with the amount of losses experienced by the business.

• 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 the following categories:

• Hard-hit industries, including restaurants

• Hard-hit areas – DIAs comprising of 176 zip codes

• 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)

• Businesses that had less than $5 million in revenue in 2019

• Click here to review the program FAQ.

• Click here to review the documents required to apply.

Need One on One Assistance?

The Cook County COVID-19 Recovery Small Business Assistance program can provide free technical assistance to small businesses seeking to apply for Back to Business grants.

Click here to sign up for one on one assistance.

Thursday Webinar

Join the IRA and panelists from the Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and DCEO Community Navigator, Cook County Bureau of Economic Development this Thursday, August 19 at 10:00 a.m. for a webinar providing information about this new grant program, how to apply, and how to get help with your questions.

Register for the webinar here.

Sam Toia on Vaccine Requirements, Restrictions on Restaurants

IRA President & CEO Sam Toia recently spoke with WLS Radio about restaurants' vaccination policies for guests, possible restrictions on restaurants, workforce challenges, and more.

"If a restaurant decides to require vaccinations for all guests and employees after consulting with their team and deciding it works best for their business and culture - then that makes perfect sense," said Toia. "But a universal vaccine mandate in order to dine indoors can really hamstring thousands of local restaurants that are just trying to finally open back up, safely serve customers, and keep people employed."

Click here to listen to the segment.

Tickets and Sponsorships Now Available for IRA Cubs Rooftop Membership Mixer

You are invited to join the IRA and your industry peers on Wednesday, September 8 for a night full of fun, networking, and baseball at Wrigley Rooftops. Tickets to the Rooftop Membership Mixer include food, drinks, and viewing of the Cubs-Reds game.

Click here to purchase tickets today.

Premier sponsorship opportunities are also available. Don't miss your chance to connect with leaders of the restaurant and hospitality industry at this fan-favorite event!

Please contact Christine DeSousa for more information about attending or sponsoring the event.

IRA Testifies on Tourism and Hospitality Industry Needs

On Friday, IRA President & CEO Sam Toia testified at a House Tourism Committee hearing on how to create sustained recovery for the tourism and hospitality industries across Illinois.

"We urge the state to continue making smart and proven investments in tourism, which will bolster the economic engines of our state," said Toia. "Funding tourism marketing grant programs and tourism and visitor bureaus will be absolutely essential to driving tourism, conventions, and culinary tourism that are so important to Illinois."

Just Cru It! Two Grand Cru Sessions Now Available

Presented by UnitedHealthcare, this year’s exclusive Grand Cru returns to the Harris Theater Rooftop for two sessions on Saturday, September 25. Guests will experience fine wines, a newly added Artisanal Cocktail Lounge and unforgettable cuisine prepared by Chicago’s award-winning chefs.

Click here to purchase tickets today.

Click here to watch a recent Fox32 Chicago segment on Chicago Gourmet, Grand Cru, our charitable efforts, and more.