Delivery Fee Cap Changes, Federal Updates

Reminder - Upcoming Changes to Third Party Delivery Service Regulations in Chicago

As a reminder, new regulations for third party food delivery services will take effect Friday, September 24.

Beginning on that date, restaurants will have the option to obtain services from third party food delivery services with fees, commissions and costs exceeding the current 15% limit of each online order, provided that the restaurant also has the option to obtain delivery services from the third party food delivery service that do not exceed the 15% limit.

Click here to download the full notice, which outlines current regulations and changes effective September 24, 2021.

The IRA encourages all operators to review the upcoming fee cap changes and ensure that your delivery service partners are complying with the law. Contact Matt Quinn with any questions.

All third party food delivery service fee cap regulations will expire on October 31, 2021.

90 Second Federal Update

The National Restaurant Association has shared their latest 90 second video update, covering the latest on replenishing the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, potential tax increases to businesses, and a summary of a potential national mandate for mandatory vaccination and testing of mid/large businesses. 

Click here to watch the update.

Back to Business Grant Resources - Webinar on Demand, Pop Up at IRA, Financing Webinar

Thanks to everyone that attended and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) and DCEO Community Navigator, Cook County Bureau of Economic Development for joining our webinar yesterday on the Back 2 Business (B2B) Grant Program and what restaurants, bars, and hospitality businesses need to know about applying for these funds.

Click here to watch the webinar recording. Click here to download the slide presentation.

IRA B2B Grant Info Pop-up Event - Monday

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 next pop up event Monday, September 20. Click here to learn more.

Tuesday Webinar - Preparing Your Business for Financing

Join us for a webinar on Tuesday, September 21 at 11:00 a.m. (Central) and learn how to get your business “application ready” so you can apply for any federal, state or local programs. As part of this webinar, presenters will also review the eligibility and application process for the Back2Business Grant.

Attendees will leave with the knowledge and tools they can use to get financially organized and position themselves to get funding from various sources. A Spanish translation is also available for the event.

Click here to register.

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.

3,000+ Contestants Support IRAEF Employee Relief Fund Through Vienna Beef Challenge

More than 3,000 people have participated in Vienna Beef's hot dog challenge to support its recovering vendors and the IRAEF Employee Relief Fund.

Through Sunday, October 17, the Vienna Beef Hot Dog Stand Challenge encourages diners to visit as many local hot dogs stands as they can. The Vienna Beef Top Dog title will be awarded to the person who has the most check-ins at different participating locations. The prize package includes four premier and exclusive tickets to Chicago sports and entertainment events totaling one event every month for a year. The Top Dog will also be treated to a private tour of the Vienna Beef factory, a $1,000 ViennaBeef.com gift card and, for bragging rights, a one-of-a-kind Vienna Beef Top Dog trophy and t-shirt.

At the completion of the challenge, Vienna Beef will make a donation to the IRAEF Employee Relief Fund. The IRA thanks Vienna Beef for their support of restaurant workers in need.

Click here to learn more about the challenge. Read the latest from Block Club Chicago.

Contact IRAEF Executive Director Kristen Hodges to get involved with IRAEF and help support the Employee Relief Fund.

Restaurant Law Center Argues Before Appeals Court in Business Interruption Suit

The Restaurant Law Center (RLC) participated in oral arguments last week, in a group of business interruption insurance cases from Illinois before the US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit. In one of the cases, TJBC, Inc. v. The Cincinnati Insurance Company, Inc., the operator of a steakhouse and brewery filed a lawsuit against its insurance company and argued that a federal judge’s finding that the coronavirus caused no physical damage to its property contradicts “established science.”

In support of TJBC, Inc., the Restaurant Law Center and the IRA argued that Governor Pritzker and others issued public health orders that caused what restaurant owners believe to be physical “loss or damage” to the insured property, and that the insurance company denied coverage without legitimate justification.

A ruling is anticipated in late 2021 or early next year.

Chicago Business/Building Owner Sanitation Responsibilities

There are several sanitation responsibilities for business and building owners in the city of Chicago. Click here to read an overview letter from the Department of Streets and Sanitation.