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3 hours ago James Beard Foundation Semifinalists Announced, Hemp Beverages Excluded from Chicago Ban, & More » Click here to read the IRA's latest news on the announcement of the James Beard Foundation semifinalists, hemp beverages'...
Thursday, January 15, 2026 ILCC February License Renewals Now Open, Sam Toia Named ABIC Impact Leader, & More » Click here to read the IRA's latest news on ILCC February license renewals now open, Sam Toia named ABIC Impact Leader, a...
Tuesday, January 13, 2026 J&J Gaming – Named Preferred Operator of the IRA » In collaboration with the Illinois Restaurant Association, J&J Gaming has been named our preferred operator. Now...
Friday, January 9, 2026 CBS: Chicago bars and restaurants expect boost from Bears playoff game this weekend » Click here to read the CBS news story on "Chicago bars and restaurants expect boost from Bears playoff game this weekend".
Friday, January 9, 2026 Chicago Tribune: Fan fever builds in Chicago ahead of the Bears’ playoff game » Click here to read the Chicago Tribune news story on "Fan fever builds in Chicago ahead of the Bears’ playoff game, from...
Thursday, January 8, 2026 Food Safety Violation Fine Increases, Effective Date for Off-Premises Liquor Tax Extended, & More » Click here to read the IRA's latest news on food safety violation fine increases, effective date for off-premises liquor...
Wednesday, December 31, 2025 25 News: Pandemic-era cocktails-to-go are here to stay in Illinois » Click here to read the 25 News news story on "Pandemic-era cocktails-to-go are here to stay in Illinois".
Tuesday, December 30, 2025 New Laws for 2026, Chicago 2026 Budget, & More » Click here to read the IRA's latest news on new laws for 2026, Chicago 2026 budget, and more.
Monday, December 29, 2025 WIFR: Cocktails-to-go become permanent with new Illinois law » Click here to read the WIFR news story on "Cocktails-to-go become permanent with new Illinois law".
Tuesday, December 23, 2025 2025 Year in Review » Click here to read the IRA's 2025 Year in Review. This year-end wrap includes a message from IRA President & CEO Sam...
Thursday, December 18, 2025 Register for the 2026 Annual Meeting, Cocktails-to-Go Made Permanent, & More » Click here to read the IRA's latest news on registering for the 2026 Annual Meeting, cocktails-to-go made permanent, and...
Wednesday, December 17, 2025 WAND News: Illinois law expands opportunities for craft distillers, brewers » Click here to read the WAND News news story on "Illinois law expands opportunities for craft distillers, brewers".
Tuesday, December 16, 2025 Q98.5: That pandemic bar rule you loved is now permanent in Illinois » Click here to read the Q98.5 news story on "That pandemic bar rule you loved is now permanent in Illinois".
Tuesday, December 16, 2025 Patch: IL cocktails-to-go law will take effect in 2026 » Click here to read the Patch news story on "IL cocktails-to-go law will take effect in 2026".
Tuesday, December 16, 2025 FOX 32: Cocktails to-go are here to stay — what it means for Illinois restaurants » Click here to watch the FOX 32 news story on "Cocktails to-go are here to stay — what it means for Illinois restaurants".
Monday, December 15, 2025 Chicago Tribune: Opinion - Chicago must take restaurants & small businesses off the budget's menu » Click here to read the Chicago Tribune news story on "Elliot Richardson and Sam Toia: Chicago must take restaurants and s...
Monday, December 15, 2025 NBC 5: New Illinois law makes cocktails-to-go permanent among other changes » Click here to read the NBC 5 news story on "New Illinois law makes cocktails-to-go permanent among other changes".
Monday, December 15, 2025 Yahoo! News: Illinois Governor enacts permanent cocktails-to-go law » Click here to read the Yahoo! News news story on "Illinois Governor enacts permanent cocktails-to-go law".
Thursday, December 11, 2025 Hemp Beverages Excluded from Proposed Ban, Free Certification Classes, & More » Click here to read the IRA's latest news on hemp beverages excluded from the proposed ban, free Sanitation Manager and Fo...
Thursday, December 11, 2025 Block Club Chicago: Proposed hemp ban adds exemption for THC drinks » Click here to read the Block Club Chicago news story on "Proposed hemp ban adds exemption for THC drinks".
Thursday, December 11, 2025 CSP: Regulatory roundup - Chicago, Ohio and more plot hemp-THC rules » Click here to read the CSP news story on "Regulatory roundup: Chicago, Ohio and more plot hemp-THC rules".
Wednesday, December 10, 2025 Crain's Chicago Business: Hemp ban delayed, but one carve-out makes City Council OK more likely » Click here to read the Crain's Chicago Business news story on "Hemp ban delayed, but one carve-out makes City Council OK...
Friday, December 5, 2025 Block Club Chicago: Scammers are trying to extort restaurants with ‘bomb’ of fake negative reviews » Click here to read the Block Club Chicago news story on "Scammers are trying to extort Chicago restaurants with ‘bomb’ of...
Thursday, December 4, 2025 Block Club Chicago: Chicago could ban hemp products as push advances to final vote » Click here to read Block Club Chicago's news story on "Chicago could ban hemp products as push advances to final vote"....
Thursday, December 4, 2025 Free Sanitation Manager Certification Classes, Chicago Hemp Ban Updates, & More » Click here to read the IRA's latest news on free sanitation manager certification classes, Chicago hemp ban updates, and...
Thursday, December 4, 2025 Crain's Chicago Business: Council bloc urges Johnson not to brush off budget overhaul » Click here to read the Crain's Chicago Business news story on "Council bloc urges Johnson not to brush off budget overhaul".
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 Crain's Chicago Business: Committee advances Chicago hemp ban amid outcry from bars & entrepreneurs » Click here to read the Crain's Chicago Business news story on "Committee advances Chicago hemp ban amid outcry from bars...
Wednesday, December 3, 2025 WGN 9: Hemp industry ordinance moves to City Council amid opposition » Click here to watch the WGN 9 news story on "Hemp industry ordinance moves to City Council amid opposition".
Thursday, November 27, 2025 November Restaurant Rundown » Click here to read the IRA's latest Restaurant Rundown featuring legislative updates, upcoming events, and more.
Thursday, November 20, 2025 Head Tax Defeated, FREE Foodservice Sanitation Manager Classes, & More » Click here to read the IRA's latest news on defeating the head tax, FREE foodservice sanitation manager classes, and more.
Thursday, November 13, 2025 Immigration Action Expected to Wind Down, Grant Application Closes Tomorrow, & More » Click here to read the IRA's latest news on immigration action expected to wind down, grant application closing tomorrow,...
Wednesday, November 12, 2025 Crain's Chicago Business: Head tax talks in flux as Johnson scrambles for budget votes » Click here to read the Crain's Chicago Business news story on " Head tax talks in flux as Johnson scrambles for budg...
Thursday, November 6, 2025 General Assembly Passes Transit Bill & Liquor Omnibus Bill, Upcoming Roundtable, & More » Click here to read the IRA's latest news on the General Assembly passing the transit bill and liquor omnibus bill, the up...
Monday, November 3, 2025 Peroni & Giada De Laurentiis Team Up » Peroni Nastro Azzurro is teaming up with Giada De Laurentiis for a year-long culinary partnership, where she’ll share en...
Thursday, October 30, 2025 October Restaurant Rundown » Click here to read the IRA's latest Restaurant Rundown featuring legislative updates, upcoming events, and more.
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