EMPLOYERS Now IRA Platinum Corporate Sponsor
|
|
The IRA is proud to welcome
EMPLOYERS
as our newest Platinum Corporate Sponsor.
Previously a Gold Corporate Sponsor of the Association, EMPLOYERS is an
exclusive partner
of the IRA that provides workers' compensation insurance and services to our members through a network of independent insurance agents. Some of EMPLOYERS' services include:
- IRA members receive a 5% credit on their EMPLOYERS workers’ compensation policy.
- Injured Employee Hotline – a hotline that is available to policyholders 24/7 and is staffed by registered nurses specifically-trained to provide medical guidance over the phone for new work related injuries or illnesses.
- PrecisePay is EMPLOYERS' (pay-as-you-go) premium payment program which allows policyholders to make smaller, more frequent premium payments by paying each payroll period.
During this extremely difficult time, we greatly appreciate EMPLOYERS' additional commitment to the Association and our industry as a whole.
To learn more about EMPLOYERS and solutions they can offer your business, please contact
Wayne Hilston
.
|
|
City of Chicago Anti-Retaliation Ordinance During COVID-19
The city of Chicago's
Anti-Retaliation Ordinance
prohibits employers from retaliating against workers for obeying certain COVID-19-related health orders. This means that employers cannot fire, demote or otherwise retaliate against an employee that is taking government-mandated steps to minimize the transmission of COVID-19, or if they are obeying an order from their healthcare provider. It also protects those that stay at home to take care of a family member who is ordered to quarantine, isolate or obey an order of a treating healthcare provider.
Importantly, the Anti-Retaliation Ordinance covers workers that stay home to adhere to the Emergency Travel Order that became effective this Monday, July 6. Issued by the Chicago Department of Public Health, this order requires all travelers that enter Chicago from a state experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases to quarantine for a 14-day period. These travelers must stay at a single designated home or dwelling during this quarantine period before doing any activities outside of the home or dwelling. Employees that are able to telework under these guidelines may do so. For more information on the order, including a list of the states covered and an FAQ,
click here
.
Under the Anti-Retaliation Ordinance,
businesses cannot take adverse action
against an employee for staying home to self-quarantine in adherence with the Emergency Travel Order.
As an additional reminder, if the employer is covered under the
Families First Coronavirus Response Act
(FFCRA) and if the employee is unable to work or telework due to one of the specified COVID-related reasons in the FFCRA, the employee is likely eligible for up to two weeks of paid leave under the FFCRA.
To help businesses and workers understand the Anti-Retaliation Ordinance, BACP is hosting a webinar Thursday, July 9 at 2:00 p.m. Please visit
chicago.gov/laborstandards
to register and learn more.
Click here
to review a guide of protocols to follow when a confirmed COVID-19 case has been in your facility.
|
|
One Question Poll - How Often Would You Like to Receive This Update?
Since the start of the COVID-19 crisis, the IRA has been producing this daily email update to provide Illinois restaurant operators and vendors with the latest news, alerts, and regulations that impact your business.
We’re constantly evaluating the work we do for Illinois' restaurant and hospitality industry, and we’d like to hear from you about this update.
Please answer the below one-question poll below about how often you would like to receive this email update.
|
|
|
How often would you like to receive this email update?
|
|
|
|
Covered Faces Keep Open Places - Spread the Word on Social
|
|
The IRA appreciates the hundreds of restaurant and bar operators that have shared our #CoveredFacesKeepOpenPlaces campaign on social media over the past several days.
If you haven't done so already, please post the above graphic - in
English
or
Spanish
- to your Instagram and/or Facebook pages anytime.
We are still seeing cities and states around the country slow down or shut down their reopening plans. To help ensure this does not happen in Illinois, we need you to share a message on your social media channels to encourage restaurateurs and diners to follow public health guidelines, be safe, and keep Illinois open.
Posting Instructions
- Post the above graphic - in English or Spanish - to Instagram and/or Facebook, and tag the Illinois Restaurant Association (@illinoisrestaurants) in your post.
- Utilize the below suggested copy and feel free to adjust to suit your tone/style!
- Tag 2-3 of your colleagues in the restaurant/hospitality industry in your post.
- Include the hashtag #CoveredFacesKeepOpenPlaces in your post
Sample Post Language
"We cannot allow our restaurants and bars to slide backwards, as we’ve seen happen in other states. Let’s all stay safe and keep our businesses open! I urge fellow operators and restaurant-goers to strictly follow local and state public safety guidelines. Wear your mask, keep social distancing, follow occupancy rules and ensure compliance. The Illinois Restaurant Promise can be found at
illinoisrestaurants.org
. Follow the guidelines, and let’s keep our restaurants and bars moving forward. We are in this together! #CoveredFacesKeepOpenPlaces @illinoisrestaurants @Tag2 @Tag3 @Tag3"
|
|
ILCC Retailer Delinquency List Resumes July 27, Bona Fide Disputes Must Be Refiled
As of June 2, 2020, state law suspended pending retailer delinquencies until 30 days after the beginning of Phase 4 of the Governor's Restore Illinois Plan.
On June 26, 2020, the Governor ordered that the entire State progress into Phase 4 of the Plan. Therefore, on July 27, 2020, the State Commission will post an updated Delinquency List and will continue to post updated lists every subsequent Thursday as required by the Liquor Control Act.
- Retailers that had been listed on the most recently posted Delinquency List who have not cured the delinquency will again be reported delinquent on July 27, 2020.
- Retailers who became delinquent during the Delinquency List suspension period (over the last month) who haven’t cured their debt will also be reported delinquent on July 27, 2020.
- Retailers who are currently delinquent but who satisfy their delinquency debt before July 27, 2020, should not reappear on the Delinquency List on July 27, 2020.
- Retailers who appear on the Delinquency List on or after July 27, 2020 may pay the delinquency debt at any time and be removed from the Delinquency List within 24 hours of clearing the debt.
- On or after July 27, 2020, pursuant to 235 ILCS 5/6-5 of the Illinois Liquor Control Act, distributors will be prohibited from selling and delivering wine and spirits to retailers who continue to be named on the Delinquency List (even for debts owed to distributors prior to or during the suspension period).
All previously reported bona fide disputes filed pursuant to Illinois Liquor Control Commission “Guidance on Thirty (30) Day Credit Law Reporting – Retailer Delinquencies - Bona Fide Dispute Process" have been voided.
All retailers, previously filing bona fide disputes, will be reported delinquent at the termination of the Delinquency List suspension period. If a retailer is named on a published Delinquency List on or after July 27, 2020 and has a good faith bona fide dispute of the amount that is owed, the retailer may file (or refile) a “bona fide dispute” with the Commission at that time.
|
|
Tomorrow Morning - Webinar on Menu Profitability
|
|
Join the IRA and
Sysco
for a webinar tomorrow morning,
Thursday, July 9 at 10:00 a.m.,
on menu profitability and useful analysis tools to create an effective menu.
Este seminario web se transmitirá en inglés y español.
|
|
State of Illinois Phase IV - Clarification on Standing Areas
All four regions of the state have transitioned into Phase IV of the Restore Illinois framework for reopening.
Click here
to read the Phase IV Guidelines for indoor and outdoor dining at restaurants and bars.
The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has provided the following clarification related to restaurant and bar standing areas:
- Standing area capacity of restaurants or bars may operate at maximum of 25% of standing area capacity. If the standing area does not have a designated capacity limit, establishments may allow up to 15 people per 1,000 square feet
A state of Illinois Phase IV reopening toolkit for restaurants and bars is also available
here
.
Restaurants and bars located in the city of Chicago must follow the city's
Phase IV - Gradually Reopen guidelines
for restaurants and bars. Restaurants and bars should refer to local authorities and health departments for additional guidelines during Phase IV.
|
|
Reopening and Enforcement in the City of Chicago
The IRA has compiled the
various operational guidelines
that Chicago restaurants and bars must be aware of as they reopen, including: occupancy limits, sidewalk café and expanded outdoor dining FAQs, federal paid sick leave requirements, cocktails to go regulations, 11:00 p.m. ending time for alcohol sales notice, and more.
During an online briefing last week, Mayor Lightfoot confirmed that noncompliant businesses will be issued $10,000 fines and/or immediate closure orders from BACP and the Chicago Police Department. Please take action to strictly follow all public health guidelines and occupancy requirements at your establishments.
Click here
to review the presentation.
What Restaurants and Bars Need to Know
- Restaurants are permitted to resume indoor dining at 25% occupancy per room - or 50 people per room (whichever is fewer) - at the beginning of Phase IV
- BACP has provided the following clarifications and guidance related to occupancy:
- In order to determine 25% occupancy:
- Use occupancy placard and divide by 4
- OR, calculate square footage of indoor space and then divide by 60
- Restaurants should use total square footage to determine 25% occupancy, not just dining room space
- Business owners may determine how a "room" is defined. The city's intention is that all rooms are fully separate
- Staff should not be included in the 50 per room or capacity calculations
- Tables and seats in a room where 50% or more of a wall can be removed via the opening of windows, doors, or panels do not count toward indoor occupancy, provided that dining tables are within 8-ft from such outdoor openings
- If your establishment sells liquor, all liquor sales must stop at 11:00 p.m. Food sales can continue until the time established on your retail food license
- No front loading drink sales prior to 11:00 p.m. will be allowed. Customers must finish their last drink and leave.
- Reservations systems are encouraged, or take guests' phone numbers and call them when their table is ready
- No dancing is permitted
- No lines outside of establishments
- If people are congregating outside of establishments, it is the business owner's responsibility to have staff outside politely ask people move along
- Call 311 if crowds refuse to dissipate
- Cocktails to go need to be in tamper-proof sealed containers - not ready for consumption on the sidewalk or street
Click here
to review the guidelines for restaurants and bars.
|
|
Please
visit our website
for the latest COVID-19 updates, in addition to the above resources and information for your business. Updated as of 3:25 p.m. on Wednesday, July 8.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
