Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle developed the Community Recovery Initiative to help suburban small businesses in Cook Country. As part of that Initiative, the Illinois Restaurant Association is here to help.

Below is a growing list Federal, State and Local resources available during this time as well as informational and instructional resources for restaurants.

One-on-One Assistance from the Illinois Restaurant Association

Assistance sessions are available to restaurants in suburban Cook County with questions about the funding offered through the CARES Act or other federal, state, or local resources. Additionally, assistance is available for questions about restaurant operations including reopening procedures and guidance.

Federal Resources

• Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF)

  Registrations for the application will begin Friday, April 30, at 8:00AM (Central) and applications will be accepted by SBA starting Monday, May 3 at 11:00AM (Central).

• Restaurant Revitalization Fund - Application Portal (SBA)
• Restaurant Revitalization Fund - Program Information (SBA)
• Restaurant Revitalization Fund - FAQ (NRA 4/27/2021)
• Restaurant Revitalization Fund - Step-By-Step Guide for completing applications (NRA 4/28/2021)

• Employee Retention Tax Credit

• Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) - Understanding the ERTC and How Restaurants Can Benefit (NRA 2/22/2021)

• COVID-19 Relief Bill

• What The COVID-19 Relief Bill Means For Restaurants - National Restaurant Association (NRA) Legislative Assessment (1-11-2021)
• Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) - NEW Application (Second Draw)
• Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) - NEW Application (First Draw)

State & Local Resources

• Cook County COVID-19 Recovery Small Business Assistance
• Cook County COVID-19 Recovery Small Business Assistance - PPP & EIDL Resource Sheet (English)
• Cook County COVID-19 Recovery Small Business Assistance - PPP & EIDL Resource Sheet (Spanish)

IRAEF Restaurant Employee Relief Fund

• A program of the Illinois Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, this fund provides one-time grants of $500 to restaurant employees facing unforeseen hardship due to COVID-19.

Webinars for Restaurants (Recordings)

• Save Money When Hiring: How to Utilize the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) (July 20, 2021)
• Boost Your Business: Marketing Tips from Google and Your Tourism & Beverage Brand Partners (June 24, 2021)
• Restaurants Restored: Operating Safely and Vaccine Policies for Your Guests and Staff (June 10, 2021)
• Staffing Help: Ideas for Finding and Hiring New Team Members (May 20, 2021)
• Applying for Restaurant Revitalization Fund Grants - What Operators Need to Know (April 26, 2021)
• Fresh Plans for Welcoming Guests - Indoor/Outdoor Spaces, Permits, and More (April 22, 2021)
• Marketing and Messaging Must-Have Strategies For Spring (April 8, 2021)
• Ramping Up: Ordering, Staffing, And Investing For Spring And Beyond (March 25, 2021)
• Managing Your Taxes, Finance, and Cash Flow (March 11, 2021)
• Vaccination Rollout - Info For Illinois Restaurants (Feb 25, 2021)
• Serving Outdoors - How Restaurants Are Using Their Space In Winter (Feb 11, 2021)
• Mental Health and Wellness Support for Restaurant Workers (Jan 28, 2021)
• Utilizing New Options for Generating Revenue (Jan 14, 2021)
• Support and Assistance for Restaurant & Bar Workers (Dec 17, 2020)
• Navigating Real Estate Concerns and Solutions (Dec 3, 2020)
• Exploring New Revenue Streams For Restaurants (Nov 19, 2020)
• Finding Cost Saving Solutions For Restaurants (Oct 22, 2020)
• Maximizing Your Space - Serving Guests in the Fall & Winter (Oct 15, 2020)
• Restaurant Staffs: Safety, Testing, and Protection (Sept 24, 2020)
• 30 Restaurant Marketing Ideas in 30 Minutes (Aug 27, 2020)
• Maximize Your Guest Space: Architects & Planners Offer Reopening Guidance (Aug 6, 2020)
• Reopening "How-Tos" - Practical Solutions for Payments, Menus, and More (July 23, 2020)
• Menu Profitability - Costing Tools & Tips to Maximize Your Menu (July 9, 2020)
• Prepare to Reopen: Staffing and Returning to Work Issues (June 16, 2020)
• Safe To Reopen: Proper Disinfecting and Instilling Consumer Confidence (June 11, 2020)

Reopening Guidance and Supplies

Find the reopening guidance and supplies you need through IRA's resource base of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and reopening services for restaurants including hand sanitizer, face coverings, gloves, cleaning and sanitizing supplies, plexiglass, menus, floor markers, signs, and more.

• State of Illinois - Current Reopening Guidance and Mitigations
• Reopening Checklists, Guidelines, and Printable Posters
• "The Illinois Restaurant Promise" (Posters available in English and Spanish)
• Restaurant Reopening Services & Supply Resources

Restaurant Resources for Addressing the COVID-19 Crisis

• A continuously updated list of guidance, information, and resources for the restaurant industry.

Resources for Immigrant Communities

• Recursos Para Todos