Vax Passport Under Consideration in Chicago, RRF Update, ERTC Webinar

Vaccine Passport Under Consideration in Chicago

The IRA is aware that due to rising case numbers and the emergence of the Omicron variant, the city of Chicago is considering various ways to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 this winter and increase vaccinations, including a potential vaccine passport requirement similar to other cities such as New York City, Los Angeles, Seattle, and New Orleans.

We support everyone getting vaccinated as soon as possible, and we are in constant communication with local officials to ensure that restaurants can continue to safely serve customers and keep their team members employed.

If a Chicago vaccine passport is instituted, the IRA will advocate for policies that are as business-friendly as possible, and that don't hinder our industry's very fragile recovery. We will keep everyone updated on new developments.

Click here to read more from CBS2 Chicago.

Senate Working Group Focusing on Replenishing RRF

Since the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) was quickly depleted last spring, the IRA and National Restaurant Association have advocated for replenishing it, working closely with a group of senators led by Small Business Committee Chair Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Roger Wicker (R-MS).

While the Build Back Better Act is the focus of Senate leadership, the working group is making substantial progress on forging an agreement on a COVID-19 relief package, with RRF as the centerpiece, that could potentially pass in 2022.

Webinar This Thursday - How the Employee Retention Tax Credit Has Changed in Q4 and Ways to Prepare for 2022

Early termination of the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) has presented restaurants with yet another challenge on top of so many they already face.

Join the National Restaurant Association for a webinar on Thursday, December 16 at 1:00 p.m. (Central) to review how restaurants can ensure they successfully claim the previous three calendar quarters of ERTC and other compliance issues.

Click here to register.

Bipartisan legislation to restore ERTC for October-December 2021 has been introduced, which would allow struggling small businesses to access up to $7,000 in tax credits for each eligible employee’s wages during the fourth calendar quarter of 2021.

Default Beverage for Children's Meals Law in Effect January 1, 2022

Starting January 1, 2022, Illinois restaurants that offer a packaged "children's meal" will be required to offer at least one of the following beverages as the default beverage with the meal: water, sparkling water, or flavored water with no natural or artificial sweeteners, 100% fruit or vegetable juice with no added sweeteners, nonfat or 1% dairy milk, or a non-dairy milk alternative with no added or artificial sweeteners.

While the healthy beverages listed above must be what automatically comes with the meal, the law does not prohibit restaurants from providing another beverage if requested by the customer.

To ensure compliance, restaurants should update their menus, menu boards, and beverage lists as well as in-store advertising for children's meals so the necessary options are listed as the default beverage.

Local health departments will be checking for compliance with this law, and will issue a warning on the first offense, a civil penalty of $25 on the second offense, and a civil penalty of $100 on the third or subsequent offenses.

Click here to learn more. Contact Matt Quinn with any questions.

Measure to Overturn Vaccine ETS Passes in Senate

The Senate passed legislation to overturn the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s Emergency Temporary Standard on COVID-19 vaccination and testing.

Introduced by Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN) and supported by Sens. Joe Manchin (D-WV) and Jon Tester (D-MT), the bill must now be taken up and passed in the House as well as be signed by President Biden.

It has no effect on pending litigation challenging the ETS.

ServSafe Ops Webinar Next Tuesday - App Now Available to IRA Members for Free for Six Months

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.

CPS Culinary Competition Recap