Chi Biz Strong/Outdoor Dining Grants Live, Vienna Beef Donates to IRAEF, Tax Collection Compliance
Friday, October 22, 2021
City of Chicago Announces New Chi Biz Strong and Outdoor Dining GrantsThe City of Chicago announced today that the Chi Biz Strong Grants Program and Outdoor Dining Grants Program will provide over $20 million in grants to Chicago’s small businesses and nonprofit organizations.
The Chi Biz Strong Grant Program will provide grants of $5,000 or $10,000, for small businesses under $3 million in revenue, and nonprofit organizations throughout Chicago that have been adversely impacted by COVID-19 from lost revenue or increased costs.
To help bars and restaurants, the City of Chicago also launched the Outdoor Dining Grant Program targeted towards Chicago’s restaurants and bars that continue to face significant challenges due to COVID and need assistance with the purchase of outdoor furniture, pandemic-related signage and personal protective equipment. This program will provide grants of $5,000 to eligible businesses.
Applications are available now and will be open until Friday, November 12, 2021 at 11:59 p.m. Grants will be disbursed via a lottery and based on eligibility and prioritization criteria.
For more information on eligibility guidelines and informational webinars, click here. Illinois Department of Revenue Guidance - Third Party Delivery Services Must Collect and Remit MPEA Tax and Chicago Soda TaxThe Illinois Department of Revenue has issued a compliance alert related to the Leveling the Playing Field for Illinois Retail Act regarding whether restaurants are required to remit the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority (MPEA) Food and Beverage Retailers’ Occupation Tax when sales are made through a third party delivery service. Effective October 1, 2021, a marketplace facilitator (third party delivery service) which is required to remit retailers’ occupation tax (ROT) on behalf of a restaurant or other food and beverage establishment must also collect and remit the MPEA Food and Beverage Tax on behalf of the restaurant or other food and beverage establishment. In addition to collecting and remitting the MPEA Food and Beverage Tax, marketplace facilitators are liable for State retailers’ occupation tax (ROT) and local sales taxes (such as the Home Rule Municipal ROT, the Home Rule County ROT, Regional Transportation Authority ROT, or Chicago Soft Drink Tax, if applicable) at the rate in effect at the location to which the food or beverages are shipped or delivered or at which possession is taken by the purchaser (destination rate). The IRA has been in regular communication with the Department of Finance in order to streamline tax processes for restaurants that partner with third party delivery services. We will share additional information as it becomes available. Click here to read the compliance alert. Fall Board Meeting Recap 
On Wednesday, the IRA held our Fall Board of Directors meeting at Gene & Georgetti in Chicago.
Thank you to Advisory Council member Michelle Durpetti for hosting the meeting, and special thanks to the Deputy Mayor of Public Safety, John O'Malley, 1st District Commander Patricia Huber, and 18th District Commander Jon Hein for joining us to discuss crime and public safety issues.
Save the date for the IRA's Annual Meeting on Wednesday, February 3 at The Union League Club. Vienna Beef Concludes Chicago Hot Dog Challenge, Donates $10K to IRAEF Employee Relief FundVienna Beef has announced that Stephanie Esposito of Garfield Ridge in Chicago claimed the Top Dog title by visiting all 367 participating locations in just five and a half weeks of the Vienna Beef Hot Dog Stand Challenge.To extend the economic impact of the challenge’s success to the greater Illinois restaurant industry, Vienna Beef also announced a $10,000 donation to the IRAEF Restaurant Employee Relief Fund. The IRA thanks Vienna Beef for their generous support and commitment to employees in the restaurant and hospitality industry.
IRAEF Restaurant Employee Relief Fund was created in October 2020 to help support restaurant workers affected by the pandemic. Today, the fund has been expanded to also cover Illinois hospitality workers affected by natural disasters, injury and other unexpected life events.
Click here to read the full announcement. Next Week - Webinar on the Upcoming Federal Vaccination Mandate for Businesses and Guest Policy ConsiderationsJoin the IRA and panelists from Laner Muchin and the Cook County Department of Public Health on Thursday, October 28 at 2:00 p.m. for a webinar on what employers need to know about the upcoming federal workplace vaccine mandate for employers with 100+ employees and what to consider requiring vaccinations for all guests. Click here to register. Sam Toia Talks with Fox32 Chicago on Ongoing Restaurant Challenges 
Earlier this week, IRA President & CEO Sam Toia spoke with Fox32 Chicago about some of the issues the restaurant industry has been facing in wake of the pandemic and recent worker shortages.
Click here to watch the segment. Remembering Nicholas Mormando
The IRA would like to extend our condolences to the family of Nicholas F. Mormando, former owner of La Strada Ristorante in Chicago, who passed away on October 13. As an independent restauranteur, Nicholas touched the hearts and souls of many, winning national and worldwide acclaim.
Click here for more information.
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