City of Chicago, State of Illinois Approaching Bridge Phase
Yesterday, Mayor Lightfoot and Governor Pritzker announced that the city and state are on track to be in Phase 5 in early July. Additionally, the city and state have aligned on guidance for conventions returning later this summer. For conventions, this will mean events with the lesser of 1,000 people or 60 percent capacity. Click here to read the full announcement.
The city and state could move into their respective Bridge Phases (prior to Phase 5) as soon as next week.
In Chicago's Bridge Phase, restaurants and bars will be permitted to have 75% occupancy (with 6 feet of social distancing between parties), table sizes up to 10, and standing areas will be allowed with 25% occupancy. The IRA is also strongly advocating for longer hours of operation for liquor licensees.
In the state of Illinois' Bridge to Phase 5, indoor standing area occupancy will be increased to 30%, and outdoor standing area occupancy will be increased to 50% (up from 25% currently).
Following a 28-day period of continued stability or decline in key COVID-19 metrics during the Bridge Phase, the state would then move into Phase 5, with all capacity limits lifted.
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Apply Now for Restaurant Revitalization Fund Grants, Webinar Tomorrow with Cook County, What to Expect After You Apply |
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The Small Business Administration has released tips for RRF applicants waiting for word on their grant submission. This information is summarized below:
RRF: What to Expect Next
- SBA is reviewing and processing priority applications first during the initial 21 days (May 3 to May 24), and then all applications will be reviewed. Applicants under review status should not anticipate any outreach from the SBA during this period.
- To make any corrections following submission and before award funding, applicants must revisit the application portal or call the support hotline to submit the correction, new documentation, and initiate a restart of the timeline for review. If an applicant initiates a restart, it may take 14 days from the time of resubmission for SBA to finalize review. The SBA will not allow corrections to awards that have been paid to awardees.
- If the submitted application is successful, all applications enter “IRS verification.” No action is needed from applicants for this process, which simply allows the SBA to validate information. The process may take up to seven days.
- An additional 4506T form submission is not required after applicant’s sign the application during the e-sign process.
- If you are entering a state in the address section(s) use the abbreviation in capital letters (e.g., PA, TX, ME, WA, etc.).
- Applicants can submit a message using the platform inbox for help when on the web portal.
IRA President & CEO Sam Toia recently spoke with The Center Square on RRF. “Independent restaurants are important to all our cities and towns throughout the country because restaurants are the soul of every neighborhood, so we definitely are feeling that this could go very fast,” Toia said. Click here to read more from The Center Square.
We encourage all operators to apply immediately if they have not done so already, as there will likely not be enough funds to fulfill every application with the current round of funding. For the first 21 days, the fund prioritizes applications from women, veterans, and socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, and reserves $9.5 billion for smaller businesses.
The IRA is actively working alongside the National Restaurant Association and our state restaurant association partners to urge Congress to replenish the RRF when funds are depleted.
Please contact the SBA RRF support hotline at (844) 279-8898 with questions about applying.
Tomorrow morning at 9:30 a.m., the Cook County COVID-19 Recovery Small Business Assistance Program is hosting a webinar to review the RRF application process for operators. Click here to register.
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2021 Chicago Sidewalk Cafe Permit Applications Available in New Online Portal
In April, the city of Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) launched a new web portal that now processes all Public Way Use transactions, including new and renewal permit applications and permit fee payments online. This new online portal will also facilitate any Sidewalk Café permit renewals that have not yet been submitted, as BACP is no longer sending out the paper-based renewal application.
Applicants will need to create an account in the new portal system and then search for their existing Public Way Use permits, including a Sidewalk Café permit, and claim it under their account. Once claimed, the applicant can then proceed in completing and submitting the Sidewalk Café renewal application.
Businesses looking to operate a new Sidewalk Café in 2021 will need to apply for a 2021 Sidewalk Café Permit. Such applications are also facilitated through the new online portal.
As a reminder, the Chicago City Council recently passed an ordinance that implemented the following changes to the Sidewalk Café permit process:
- All Sidewalk Café permits issued in 2020 will be considered active through May 31, 2021. Businesses operating a Sidewalk Café may continue to do so until that date without needing to renew their permit.
- Temporary relief measures implemented in 2020 will apply to all Sidewalk Café permits issued in 2021. These reforms include:
- 75 percent permit fee reduction;
- Ability to extend Sidewalk Cafes in front of a neighboring property; and
- Expedited permit issuance process that allows BACP to issue Sidewalk Café permits without needing to be introduced as an ordinance to City Council.
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Small Business Week - Contact Cook County Small Business Assistance Program for Assistance |
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The IRA is celebrating the resilience and vibrant small business community in Cook County during Small Business Week. The Cook County COVID-19 Recovery: Small Business Assistance program is here to provide support for small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Together We Thrive!
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Register for Changing Workforce Needs Summit with HUB International |
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Join IRA Silver Sponsor HUB International on Wednesday, May 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Central) for their virtual summit, Re•sil•ient: Responding to changing workforce needs. Given the disruption that has occurred within the hospitality industry, you need your employees at their best now more than ever.
Click here to register today and walk away with actionable strategies to energize and engage your employees.
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Updated Operating Guidance Available from National Restaurant Association and ServSafe |
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This week, the National Restaurant Association and ServSafe® released an updated version of its COVID-19 Operating Guidance incorporating new information on best practices to train staff on risk mitigation regarding the spread of COVID-19.
The Operating Guidance continues to incorporate the latest information from sources including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).
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Virtual Springfield Lobby Day Rescheduled to Monday, May 17
Attendees will meet with state Representatives and Senators about legislative and regulatory issues of concern to Illinois' restaurant and hospitality industry - including the need for the state to maintain a safe and steady path to reopening and recovery.
Registration is complimentary, and the schedule of meetings will be made available closer to the event.
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Home Run Inn Donates Free Pizzas to CPS Honor Roll Students |
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Please visit our website for the latest COVID-19 updates, in addition to the above resources and information for your business. Updated as of 5:10 p.m. on Wednesday, May 5.
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THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS |
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