MAY 8, 2020
Mayor Lightfoot Announces Framework for Reopening the City of Chicago
Earlier today, Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced the Protecting Chicago framework that the City will be using to guide Chicago’s reopening process amid COVID-19. IRA President & CEO Sam Toia participated in the press conference and thanked Mayor Lightfoot for engaging with the business community on developing guidelines for reopening Chicago safely. Click here to watch the announcement.

The framework lays out how the City is thinking about reopening, and the details for each phase are being informed by economic and health data, and a combination of input from industry working groups, health experts and the public. As part of the reopening strategy, the City is soliciting public input to gauge sentiment on shelter-in-place and ensure the reopening is phased in a way that eases concerns that residents may have.

The Protecting Chicago framework comprises five phases, and Chicago has already transitioned from phase one (Strict Stay-at-Home) to phase two (Stay-at-Home).

While specific dates have not yet been determined for restaurants to reopen their dine in operations in Chicago, the IRA is encouraged by the City of Chicago's readiness to proactively engage with restaurants and small businesses during this crucial process.

Click here to read more.
Take Action to Help Fix the Restore Illinois Plan
Join the IRA in our call to Governor Pritzker and the General Assembly to modify the Restore Illinois plan to allow restaurants and bars to resume their dine in service in a limited capacity during Phase 3.

Under the current Restore Illinois plan, restaurants and bars throughout the state will be unable to resume dine in operations until June 26 at the very earliest. This approach underestimates the restaurant industry’s ability to reopen and operate safely with enhanced public health measures in place.

Send a message to the Governor and leaders in the General Assembly to consider these recommendations and collaborate with the restaurant industry to allow for restaurants and bars to safely reopen their dine in operations during Phase 3 of Restore Illinois.

Read more about the IRA's ongoing efforts:

IRA Letter to Governor Pritzker: Allow Restaurants to Resume Dine In Operations in Limited Capacity During Phase 3
Yesterday, the IRA issued a letter to Governor J.B. Pritzker to respectfully request that the state reconsider their approach in Restore Illinois to allow for restaurants to safely resume dine in service during Phase 3.

Click here to read the full letter.
Continued Impact of COVID-19 on the Restaurant Industry
The devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the U.S. labor market continues to come into focus. Not surprisingly, restaurants have suffered far more job losses—nearly three times more jobs—than any other industry. Eating and drinking places lost 5.5 million jobs in April on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to preliminary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This followed a net decline of nearly a half-million jobs in March. Additionally:

  • Over three decades of restaurant jobs were lost during the last two months.
  • The 6.4 million eating and drinking place employees on payroll in April was the lowest level since May 1989.

Download the April employment infographic here .
Please  visit our website  for the latest COVID-19 updates, in addition to the above resources and information for your business. Updated as of 8:30 p.m. on Friday, May 8.