Monday afternoon, the bipartisan group of lawmakers formally released their legislative text for a coronavirus relief plan which would include a second round of PPP. While the clock is ticking to land a deal, this is a strong step in the right direction.

Senate Leader McConnell vows ‘We’re Not Leaving’ without Covid-19 relief as he is scheduled to meet this afternoon with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to hash out the next aid bill.

The National Restaurant Association and IRA continue to work with all parties – particularly the Administration, the moderate working group and Republican and Democratic Leaders in the House and Senate to reach an agreement.

Read the latest proposals here and here. For a full summary of the Emergency Coronavirus Relief Act of 2020 click here.

Post the above call to action on your personal and business social media channels and tag three industry colleagues with the below caption:

This afternoon, the IRA sent another plea to Governor Pritzker asking him to advocate on behalf of the industry at the federal level to pass the RESTAURANTS Act and secure an immediate additional round of PPP for operators in Illinois.  

We also asked that the Governor work with our industry on a pragmatic approach to resuming indoor dining that maintains public health and safety as the top priorities, and protects the livelihoods of restaurant workers and owners in all regions of Illinois. 

In order for restaurants to survive now and have the potential to thrive in the future, we need the state to provide enhanced legislative and regulatory relief, as well as a reasonable path to allow for limited indoor dining moving forward. 

Read the full letter here.

As we continue to refute claims that dining in restaurants and COVID transmission are linked, we are once again asking for your help to complete a brief survey.

The data gained through the survey will be used to make scientific-based decisions on restrictions instead of reflexive actions that punish restaurants without evidence. All responses will be kept confidential.

The results of this survey could help us keep restaurants open.

Our friends at EMPLOYERS were a founding donor of the IRAEF Restaurant Employee Relief Fund, which provides grants directly to hardworking restaurant employees during this uniquely challenging time.

Please watch this short video to see these inspiring stories of hope and overcoming adversity.

Thank you, EMPLOYERS!

Click here to sign up.

Visit ILAccessToJustice.com for assistance. 

Join the IRA, IRA Educational Foundation, Southern Smoke Foundation, and the West Suburban Cook County American Job Center this Thursday, December 17 at 10:00 a.m. for a webinar providing an overview of relief funds for food and beverage industry employees and how to apply, as well as info about other organizations and assistance programs that may be helpful right now.

This webinar will feature introductory remarks from Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer, Tenth District, and is being provided in partnership with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and the Cook County Community Recovery Initiative.

Click here to register.

On Friday, January 1, 2021, the state of Illinois' minimum wage increases to $11.00, and the tipped wage increases to $6.60. Click here to review the updated rates.

Businesses located in the city of Chicago or in municipalities within Cook County that have opted into Cook County's minimum wage ordinance must comply with local minimum wage regulations.

This month, Chicago Gourmet launched a holiday social media campaign, #ChiGourmetHoliday, to raise awareness of the special menus, meal kits, gift ideas, delivery/carry-out specials and more available at restaurants throughout Chicagoland.

Content may be shared on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter — where Chicago Gourmet has nearly 66,000 fans — to encourage consumer support of local restaurants at a time when they need it the most. 

Please submit holiday details and one or more high-quality photographs for potential inclusion to chicagogourmet@illinoisrestaurants.org.

Please visit our website for the latest COVID-19 updates, in addition to the above resources and information for your business. Updated as of 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, December 15.