Hospitality Operator Roundtable, 2nd Draw PPP Forgiveness

Next Week - Hospitality Operator Roundtable in South Loop

Join the IRA for an upcoming Hospitality Industry Roundtable on Tuesday, March 22 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Bureau Bar & Restaurant in the South Loop. This event open to restaurant and hospitality operators only. 

This will be an opportunity for area restaurateurs to connect, share best practices, and discuss the challenges facing the restaurant community. Cook County Commissioner Dennis Deer (2nd) and Alderman Pat Dowell (3rd) will also be attendance to provide city and county updates to attendees.

Contact IRA Director of Sales & Marketing Christine DeSousa to RSVP. 

Reach Out to the Illinois General Assembly - Help Save Restaurants and Jobs

The IRA continues to communicate with leaders in Springfield about the need to appropriate funding in this year's budget for direct, one-time grants to restaurants, bars, and other hospitality businesses.

If you haven't done so already, please take one minute to send a message to your Representative and Senator to ask for their support. Be sure to share our call to action with your colleagues in the industry!

Tomorrow Night - Benefit at Navy Pier to Support Ukraine

There are still tickets available to join your favorite Chicagoland chefs for Chicago Chefs Cook for Ukraine - a delicious and one of a kind evening on Wednesday, March 16 from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. dedicated to raising funds for World Central Kitchen's work benefiting Ukrainian refugee families in need of a nutritious meal.

100% of the event proceeds will benefit World Central Kitchen. Click here to purchase tickets.

This Thursday - Expert Tax and Legal Tips for Right Now

Join the Illinois Restaurant Association and panelists from accounting firm Plante Moran and law firm Laner Muchin on Thursday, March 17 at 2:00 p.m. for a webinar providing expert ideas and guidance you can use in your business right now. Hear valuable finance tips and important employment law updates for the hospitality industry. 

Click here to register.

Better to Ask for Forgiveness than Omission – PPP Second Draw Webinar

For restaurants that took a second draw from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), the deadline to apply for loan forgiveness is coming up, and applying is easier than ever.

Join Aaron Frazier, National Restaurant Association's director of tax policy for a webinar on Tuesday, March 29 at 1:00 p.m. (Central) to learn how to navigate the application process, what important information you'll need, and what happens if you miss the deadline.  

Click here to register.

Event for Representatives Robinson and Crespo - This Friday

You are invited to join the IRA and Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association for an event this Friday, March 18 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in support of Representative Lamont Robinson and Representative Fred Crespo at Chicago Prime Italian in Schaumburg.

Click here to download the invitation, or contact votelamontrobinson@gmail.com with any questions.

Reminder - Chicago Foodware Upon Request Ordinance Now in Effect

As of Tuesday, January 18, the city of Chicago’s ordinance that regulates the offering of single-use foodware at takeout or delivery from restaurants is now in effect. The ordinance requires restaurants to provide single-use foodware - such as napkins, disposable utensils, or condiment packets - for delivery or takeout only upon request from the customer or at a self-service station.

Restaurants must post the above signage at their establishment, and they are encouraged to post the signage at any location where delivery or take-out orders may be placed in order make customers aware of the requirements.

Additionally, restaurants are required to provide options for customers to affirmatively
request single-use foodware when ordering for delivery or take-out. This requirement applies to all ordering or point of sale platforms, including internet enabled applications, digital platforms, phone orders, and in-person ordering. 

Click here to visit BACP's Single Use Foodware Ordinance webpage. Click here to review the FAQs.