Advocating in D.C., Scholarships Extended, Hiring Event Recap

IRA Advocates for Industry at National Restaurant Association Public Affairs Conference

Earlier this week, a delegation of IRA members joined hundreds of their peers in Washington D.C. for the 2022 National Restaurant Association Public Affairs Conference.

The group attended expert panels and informational sessions and discussed several crucial issues with congressional leaders, including replenishing the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF), reinstating the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) for Q4 2021, establishing a new workforce development visa program, and more.

Thank you to all who attended to advocate for our industry on the national level. Read more about the IRA's visits with Senators Durbin and Duckworth.

Join the Growing List of Supporters at the Annual Restaurant Show Political Reception

To bolster our efforts to support candidates and issues that are favorable to the hospitality industry, the IRA and National Restaurant Association are hosting our Annual Restaurant Show Political Reception on Monday, May 23 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Hubbard Inn.

Click here to download the invitation. The host committee is currently in formation. To RSVP and be included in the list of event supporters, please contact Matt Quinn.

Chef's Table Recap

Last week, our annual Chef's Table event presented by Sysco and 8 Hospitality celebrated All Around Chicago!

The event, held at Theatre on the Lake, welcomed more than 700 food service professionals in support of the IRA Educational Foundation and ProStart® programs. Guests enjoyed an Agave Garden, SG Proof Lounge, and an array of culinary delights from some of Chicago's most renowned restaurants.

Thank you to all our attendees, restaurants, and mixologists, and a special thank you to Chef's Table Committee Chair Steven Hartenstein and his hardworking committee for putting on an incredible evening for the future leaders of the hospitality industry.

Click here for more photos from the event.

Products Shaping the Future of Food and Beverage at the Show

The National Restaurant Association Restaurant, Hotel-Motel Show is thrilled to unveil the 2022 recipients of the prestigious Food and Beverage (FABI) Awards. The FABI Awards honor the year’s most exciting, groundbreaking new food and beverage products.

Selected by an independent panel of esteemed judges from across the foodservice industry, this year’s Awardees were chosen for their exciting new tastes, uniqueness in the market, creative approach to operator challenges and/or introduction of new opportunities and profit potential. The 2022 Show will provide attendees with the opportunity to see and experience this year’s FABI Award recipients—as well as many from 2020 and 2021—up close during onsite tasting sessions.

Click here to view the awardees.

Restaurant Dive on IRA Advocacy for State Restaurant Grant Program

Restaurant Dive recently highlighted the IRA's efforts to secure $50M in grants for restaurants and taverns in the state of Illinois' FY 2023 budget.

“It will be a challenging path ahead for all restaurants, as everyone adjusts to the new normal," said IRA President & CEO Sam Toia. "This grant program has the potential to help thousands of restaurants fully emerge and stay in business long term."

Click here to read more.

While we do not yet have a timeline for the roll out of the grant program, the IRA will work in coming weeks with state officials to ensure the rules and application procedures for this program are rolled out in a streamlined and timely manner.

IRAEF Scholarship Applications Deadline Extended Until May 16

The 2022-2023 IRAEF Scholarship application deadline has been extended until Monday, May 16. If you know an aspiring culinary or hospitality student pursuing their post-secondary education, be sure to encourage them to apply!

Since its inception, the IRAEF has awarded over $3 million to deserving students pursuing Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management in post-secondary degrees. 

Click here to apply, and contact info@illinoisrestaurants.org with any questions.

James Beard Award Media Nominees

IRA, ABIC Meet with U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services

This week, IRA Executive Vice President Mary Kay Bonoma joined the American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC) for a meeting with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Ur Jaddou and local immigrant advocates and business organizations in Chicago to discuss work permit delays, visa expansions, and more.

The IRA is a proud founding member of the Illinois Business Immigration Coalition (IBIC).

IRA Members Participate in Hospitality Hires Chicago

Yesterday, the IRA collaborated with the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership and business association partners to host our fifth Hospitality Hires Chicago hiring event. During the event, hundreds of eager job seekers were connected with more than 50 employers in the restaurant, hospitality, hotel, and tourism industries. 
 
We are honored to work with the Partnership to offer employment opportunities to residents from throughout the 77 communities of Chicago and every corner of Cook County.

For more information about future hiring event opportunities, please contact Matt Quinn. 

Watch on Demand - Webinar on Mental Health and Wellness Support for Restaurants

Thank you to everyone that attended and our panelists from UnitedHealthcare, HUB International, and EMPLOYERS for joining our webinar yesterday offering coping ideas and accessible mental health resources that may be helpful now and into the future.

Click here to watch a recording of the webinar. Click here to download the presentation.

Obtenga Representación Legal, Educación y Recursos

Illinois Access to Justice proporciona ayuda a las personas de las comunidades vulnerables afectadas por el encarcelamiento y la separación familiar.

Para obtener ayuda, visite ILAccessToJustice.com.