THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2024

Tell Your Alder to VOTE NO on the Proposed Alcohol Tax Increase

As negotiations for City of Chicago 2025 budget are still ongoing, we need to make our voices heard. Tell your alder to VOTE NO on the proposed alcohol tax increase! If Mayor Johnson's 35% alcohol tax hike passed, Chicago will have the 2nd highest wine and spirits taxes and the 7th highest tax on beer of any major U.S. city. We can't afford another tax increase!

IRA member Michelle Foik of ERIS Brewery and Cider House was one of the speakers at a press conference held by the Chicago Alcohol Tax Coalition. She and other business owners and coalition members talked about how another tax increase would hurt the hospitality industry, which is still struggling after the pandemic.

IRA Chair Steven Hartenstein and First Vice Chair Scott Weiner also spoke to CBS News and ABC 7 respectively about their opposition to the alcohol tax increase.

Click here to tell your alder to VOTE NO on the liquor tax increase!

Click here to watch the CBS News story featuring Steven Hartenstein.



Click here to watch the ABC 7 story featuring Scott Weiner.

Submit Your Nomination for the 2025 James Beard Awards

The entry and recommendation period for the 2025 James Beard Awards is open. Be sure to submit your nomination by 11:59pm ET next Friday, November 29! Nominate an Illinois restaurant today!

Submitting a recommendation for the Impact or Restaurant and Chef Awards is free of charge, while submitting a recommendation for the Media Awards has a $85 entry fee.

Click here to enter the Media or Restaurant and Chef Awards.

Click here to enter the Impact Awards.

Court Strikes Down Overtime Rule

A federal court in Texas struck down the Department of Labor's 2024 Overtime Rule, which sought to raise the minimum salary threshold. The court found that salary should not be the sole factor that determines whether an employee is eligible for overtime pay.

This means that the minimum salary threshold reverts to $35,468 per year ($684 per week), while the highly compensated employee threshold reverts to $107,432 per year. The ruling also invalidated automatic updates to the salary threshold every three years.

A big shout out to the Restaurant Law Center and Texas Restaurant Association, which co-led a coalition that challenged this rule.

Click here to read the court's decision on the 2024 Overtime Rule.

Sam Toia Comments on Trump's Mass Deportation Plan

President-elect Donald Trump has once again confirmed his plans to conduct a mass deportation by using military assets, which has many industries worried.

“People are tired of prices going up, but if you deport that many folks, you’re going to see inflation go through the roof,” said Sam Toia, IRA president and CEO.

Click here to watch NBC 5's full story on Trump's deportation plans.

Thank You for Attending Tech Tour!

Yesterday the IRA hosted its annual Tech Tour in partnership with the Cook County Small Business Source. Attendees learned valuable tips on using AI technology and marketing, such as using AI to add and update menus on Google, advertise across Google's many platforms, or make responding to reviews easier. The presenters also introduced the latest and greatest in Google technologies like Gemini, a generative AI platform that can do everything from making reservations to creating images.

A big thank you to all who attended, Google for hosting us, and our partners at Square.

Celebrate National Apprenticeship Week

It’s National Apprenticeship Week! Are you a restaurant or foodservice employer looking to:

• Increase recruitment & retention?
• Enhance your benefits package?
• Upskill your workers & build engaged, competent staff?

Start building your business' next leaders from within by offering apprenticeship. Employers see an 80%+ employee retention rate among program participants!

Click here to learn more about apprenticeship programs.

Chicago Park District 2025 Concessions Application Due Friday!

The Chicago Park District has opened its Notice of Application for new concession opportunities for 2025, which presents substantial opportunity for small businesses. Applications are due by 3:00pm this Friday, November 22, 2024.

Click here to submit your concession application.

The Season of Savings Continues with the Advanced Rate!

For just $135, secure your 2025 Show Expo badge and enjoy full access to The National Restaurant Association Show floor. Explore thousands of exhibitors, engaging on-floor programming, a keynote with Carla Hall, and so much more.

Illinois Restaurant Association Members—Join Us!

We invite you to register and be part of the premier event for the restaurant and foodservice industry.

Lock in this great rate now, keep your wallet happy this winter, and get ready to join us in the spring!

Register now.

Share Your Thanksgiving Specials

Is your restaurant offering something unique this Thanksgiving? Whether it's a discount, new menu item, or something else, we'd love to promote it! Send information about your Thanksgiving specials to Ali DeGuide, and we'll do our best to share them on the IRA channels.

IRA New Member Spotlight

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