Crime Prevention Strategies, ServSafe Ops, MealMatch Buys Restaurant Meals
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Crime and Public Safety Issues, Strategies for Businesses
Crime and public safety concerns have become increasingly significant issues for restaurant and hospitality operators. In recent months, the IRA has taken many steps to help address these concerns on behalf of our industry, including meeting with the Chicago Police Department, Chicago's Deputy Mayor of Public Safety John O'Malley, and Cook County State's Attorney Kim Foxx.
We continue to work with stakeholders in the business community to urge our elected officials to take additional steps to protect our neighborhoods and keep our businesses, employees, and diners safe.
Below are recommendations on what you can do to help prevent crime, be engaged, and make your voices heard:
- Have a working alarm system in your business.
- Consider installing video surveillance on the inside and outside of your property. If a crime occurs, this is helpful to police.
- Maintain proper lighting over all entrances to your business, keep a minimal amount of lights illuminated in your business during closing hours, ensure all building entry points are illuminated, and all sides of your property should be lit with bright LED lights.
- Keep cash hidden and secure while the business is closed.
- Consider hiring private security.
- Call 911 immediately if you witness a crime, and provide a detailed description of any suspicious people, including any vehicle description and license plate information.
- Protect access to the roof, and secure rooftop hatchways, air ducts, and air vents.
- Add name and address on the rear of the business to aid Police and Fire in the event of an emergency.
- Secure doors, invest in steel frame doors, add security bar to rear and side doors, reinforce frames, and add a peep hole.
- Trash, landscaping debris, skids and boxes should be neatly organized for pick up and not blocking access.
- Find your police district and attend CAPS/Beat meetings.
- Use TipSubmit to report crimes and suspicious activity.
- Sign Up for Chi Biz Alerts.
ServSafe Ops Now Available to IRA Members for Free for Six Months, Register for Upcoming Webinar 
The IRA is excited to announce the launch of ServSafe Ops - an application developed by the National Restaurant Association to help assist restaurants with operational efficiency, compliance guidelines, training, and providing information to their employees.
This easy-to-use app is free to IRA members for six months.
Join us for a webinar on Tuesday, December 21 at 10:00 a.m. to review the program and have your questions answered.
Click here to register. Congress Reviews OSHA ETS on Employee Vaccinations
A Congressional Review Act bill introduced this week is attempting to overturn the OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard that requires employers of 100+ employees mandate they be vaccinated or get tested weekly if they’re not vaccinated. The CRA passed the Senate Wednesday, and now heads to the House. A CRA allows Congress to review agency rulemaking activities; it also provides Congress with a special set of procedures under which to consider legislation to overturn those rules.
Stay tuned for more updates as they become available.
Transportation Committee Advances Ordinance to Extend Expanded Outdoor Dining Program through 2022
Earlier today, the Transportation Committee of the Chicago City Council advanced an ordinance that will allow the Expanded Outdoor Dining program to continue through December 31, 2022. The ordinance now heads to the full City Council for approval.
IRA President & CEO Sam Toia spoke with the Chicago Sun-Times about our strong support for the program and ideas about how to enhance it in the future.
“It was big," said Toia. "Restaurant owners and operators reported they had a great summer because they had indoor and outdoor dining with more seats. The more seats you have, the more customers you can serve, and the better your cash flow."
Click here to read the article.
MealMatch Buys Restaurant Meals at Full Price for Soup Kitchens MealMatch supports local restaurants by buying meals at full price in quantity on behalf of local Meal Centers that feed the hungry and food insecure.
The idea of MealMatch started during the pandemic, when both restaurant and people needed help. These conditions are ever present, so MealMatch continues to support local restaurants to feed people in need.
Click here to learn more and get involved. Services for Renato Turano 
Our sincerest condolences go out to the Turano family on the loss of Renato Turano, who passed away earlier this week. Always supportive our efforts at the IRA and Chicago Gourmet, Renato's knowledge, inspiration and good spirit are just a few of the many qualities we've admired in him as a friend and colleague over the years. Renato Turano was the Chairman of the Board for Campagna – Turano Bakery, Inc. in Berwyn, Illinois. Senatore della Repubblica d’Italia, Cavaliere Ufficiale Al Merito della Repubblica Italiana, Consultore Regione Calabria, Founder and Chairman of Casa Italia, Past President of Italian- American Civic Organization of Berwyn, Past President of Calabresi in America Organization, Past Chairman of Societa San Francesco di Paola, Past President of Italian Chamber of Commerce of Chicago, Past President of the Columbian Club of Chicago, Past Chairman of American Bakers Association and patronized many other business, civic, fraternal and social organizations. Family and friends are to gather for the Visitation on Thursday, December 9 from 4:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M. at St. John of the Cross Parish, 5005 Wolf Rd., Western Springs, IL. Funeral to follow Friday, December 10. Family and Friends are to gather directly at St. John of the Cross Parish, All Guests are asked to arrive for a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated promptly at 11:00 A.M. Click here for more information. In lieu of flowers, any donations collected will be gifted to the Les Turner ALS Foundation in Renato Turano’s name. Beach House Development Opportunity in Springfield
The city of Springfield is seeking qualified applicants to submit proposals to redevelop Beach House Area.
If you or your company are interested in bidding on this project, bid booklets are available to download on the city of Springfield’s website. Contact Amanda Long with any questions.
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