Foodware Upon Request Ordinance, Child Care Assistance, Back to Business Grant Webinar

Chicago City Council Passes Ordinance on Single-Use Foodware

Today, the Chicago City Council passed an ordinance that will regulate the offering of single-use foodware at takeout or delivery from restaurants. Effective in January 2022, the ordinance will require food dispensing establishments to only provide single-use foodware upon request from the customer or at a self-service station.

The IRA worked to ensure several business-friendly provisions are included in the legislation - including exemptions for single use foodware for safety concerns, drive-thrus, self-serve areas, and more.

"Single-use foodware" means any eating utensil or other item to be used as part of food or beverage service that is designed and intended by the manufacturer for only one usage before being discarded, including forks, spoons, sporks, knifes, chopsticks, other eating utensils, stirrers, drink stoppers, splash sticks, cocktail sticks, toothpicks, napkins, wet-wipes, cup sleeves, beverage trays, disposable plates, and condiment packets. Single-use foodware does not include straws, beverage lids, or items used to contain or package food or beverages for delivery or take-out orders. 

Exemptions to the ordinance include: single-use foodware needed to address safety concerns such as lids, straws, and drink stoppers; foodware that is prepackaged with the food item; drive-thrus; and airport locations.

Click here to read the ordinance.

Read more:

• Block Club Chicago -  Crackdown On Single-Use Plastics Set For Council Vote, As Some Alderpeople Yank Support For Less Strict Ordinance

• Crain's Chicago Business -  City to restaurants: Cut down on the plastics

• Chicago Sun-Times -  City Council committee approves watered-down ban on single-use utensils

State of Illinois Announces Additional Child Care Assistance for Parents Actively Seeking Employment

Yesterday, Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) announced a series of investments to strengthen access to childcare for parents seeking to reenter the workforce while simultaneously bolstering childcare providers and their employees. As families across Illinois continue to get back on their feet amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, IDHS is expanding  Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) eligibility to include three months of free coverage for unemployed parents who meet the CCAP eligibility requirements to help residents get back to work.

Beginning October 1, 2021, parents who are unemployed and actively seeking employment will be eligible for three months of Child Care Assistance, provided they meet the standard CCAP eligibility requirements. If parents become employed or enroll in an education program before the end of the three-month period and meet all other CCAP eligibility requirements, their eligibility will continue for 12 months in total.

The IRA applauds the state for taking further action to support employees and provide additional resources for parents looking to reenter the workforce.

Click here  to read the full announcement.

Webinar Tomorrow on Improvements for COVID EIDL Program

Last week, the Small Business Administration (SBA) announced a new expansion of the  Emergency Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) program – increasing the loan limit and improving the range of uses, all while retaining the same very low federal interest rate.

Specifically, the new COVID EIDL program includes:

• An increase in the loan cap amount to $2 million from a current cap of $500,000. Eligible businesses that have already received a COVID EIDL loan for a smaller amount can apply to increase their loan. 

• Requirements for businesses that are affiliated will now mirror the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF). 

• COVID EIDL funds can be used to pre-pay business debt, allowing restaurants to that are carrying higher-interest commercial debt or even credit card debt (acquired over the last year) to use COVID EIDL funds to pay outstanding debt balances in one lump sum.  

Tomorrow,  Wednesday, September 15 at 1:00 p.m. (Central), the National Restaurant Association will offer a  free webinar on the COVID EIDL program, with a top SBA official to walk us through the substance and take your questions. 

Click here  for a new fact sheet on the COVID EIDL program.

Reminder - Complete our COVID-19 Impact Survey

The IRA is partnering with the National Restaurant Association to gather critical data that will be very valuable to our ongoing advocacy efforts in support of RRF replenishment funding. 

If you have not done so already, please  click here to take a few minutes to complete the new COVID-19 restaurant impact survey.

Thursday Morning - IRA Webinar on Back to Business Program and How to Apply

Join the IRA, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and DCEO Community Navigator, Cook County Bureau of Economic Development for a webinar this  Thursday, September 16 at 10:00 a.m. on the Back 2 Business (B2B) Grant Program and what restaurants, bars, and hospitality businesses need to know about applying for these funds.

Este seminario web se transmitirá en inglés y español.

此网络研讨会有中文及英文两种放送版本.

Click here to register.

Chicago Gourmet Silent Auction Now Live

Chicago Gourmet 's annual online charitable auction is now open, featuring an impressive array of wine and spirits, sports memorabilia, culinary experiences and more curated by presenting sponsor Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits .

Click here  to make your bids today.