Latest on RRF, Chicago Gourmet Underway, Expedited Restaurant Licensing

Latest Updates on Restaurant Revitalization Fund

Members of Congress have been back in their home districts for the August recess, and the IRA and National Restaurant Association are making sure they are hearing about the state of our industry. We are educating policymakers on the rise of the Delta variant and its impact on customer confidence in indoor dining. Ultimately, Congress needs to finish the mission and replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. We have a national grassroots activation under way – please add your voice and share with your network if you have not already.

Congress returns to Washington next week and all eyes will be on the efforts of Democrats to pass a $3.5 trillion spending bill. There are a number of ways that bill can help – or hurt – the recovery efforts of the restaurant industry. You’ll be hearing more from us soon on the actions we are taking on that front. 

The IRA will continue to be focused on all legislative proposals that affect our workforce, the taxation of our industry, and our fight for fair access to recovery dollars.

IRA B2B Grant Info Pop-up Event - Next Tuesday

Through the new Illinois Back to Business (B2B) Grant Program, small businesses in Illinois can apply for funds to help with their recovery.

Working with the Cook County Small Business Assistance Program - a Community Navigator providing support to small businesses to access this new grant - the IRA is here to help.

Once per week during September, the IRA will hold B2B Grant Info Pop-up Events from 9:00 a.m to 12:00 p.m. in our downtown Chicago office. Member and nonmember businesses alike are welcome to visit and learn about the B2B Grant Program and how to apply.

Join us for the first pop up event Tuesday, September 7. Click here to learn more.

Aplique Ahora - El Cook County Small Business Assistance Program

El Cook County Small Business Assistance Program recomienda a las pequeñas empresas, y a aquellas por igual, a dirigirse al sitio web cookcountysmallbiz.org como el nuevo centro de información y recursos pertinentes.

Continúe generando tráfico a cookcountysmallbiz.org al enviar correos electrónicos (e-blasts), volantes, publicar en redes sociales, etc.

Chicago Gourmet is Underway

Chicago Gourmet has begun its celebration of food, wine, spirits and more throughout the month of September.

Tickets are still available to several Go Gourmet events, Grand Cru, Hamburger Hop, and more. Chef competitors throughout Illinois are also offering tasty burgers for dine-in, delivery or carry out from September 1-30 through the Citywide Hamburger Hop.

Click here to plan your monthlong fest.

Expedited Restaurant Licensing Pilot Program Now Available

Under the Chi Biz Strong Initiative, the Expedited Restaurant Licensing (ERL) pilot program went into effect July 31, 2021. The ERL process helps fill empty restaurant spaces quickly and enables new restaurants to open up to 14 days sooner.

The pilot program allows for a retail food establishment license applicant to open a new restaurant at a location previously occupied and vacated by another properly licensed restaurant, assuming the previous restaurant passed a Chicago Department of Health inspection on or after July 1, 2018, and that no structural, plumbing, ventilation or electrical systems have been changed.

Click here to learn more about the program, including a self-inspection checklist and recent webinar recording on the new program.