MONDAY, AUGUST 31
City of Chicago 2021 Budget Forecast
Today, the city of Chicago's budget office announced it is projecting a $1.2 billion deficit next year. Nearly 70% of this deficit is the result of lost revenues due to COVID-19. During her speech today, Mayor Lightfoot indicated the need for federal money to close this gap. 

The Mayor will not outline her specific expenditure reductions or tax increases to close this deficit until she introduces her 2021 budget in mid-October. If Congress does not provide significant funding to localities and states to make up for lost revenues caused by COVID-19, the city will have an extremely difficult time closing this budget gap without increasing property taxes.

As budget season approaches, the IRA will continue to work to protect the hospitality industry from various tax and fee increases that would further burden Chicago's restaurants at a time when they can least afford it.

Click here to review the 2021 Budget Forecast summary. Click here to read the full announcement.
Complete by Tomorrow - August 2020 COVID-19 Impact Survey

The IRA and the National Restaurant Association are surveying our members about the economic impacts of COVID-19 on your businesses. Please be assured that all information provided is anonymous and strictly confidential.
 
If you are a restaurant operator with multiple restaurants in your organization, please consider completing a separate survey for each location. If you wish to only complete one survey, please choose your primary restaurant for this survey. 

If you have not already done so, please click here to complete the one minute survey by Tuesday, September 1. For the entire survey, please provide information for a single restaurant location.
Restaurant Employment Updates
Job growth in the restaurant industry slowed markedly in July, according to preliminary data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Nationally, eating and drinking places* added a net 502,000 jobs in July, which was well below the gains of nearly 1.5 million jobs in both May and June. As a result, employment at eating and drinking places remained well below February’s pre-coronavirus level of 12 million. 

In Illinois, employment is down 17% in eating and drinking establishments, with a net loss of nearly 80,000 jobs from February to July 2020.

Click here to read more.
State Face Covering Guidelines for Restaurant and Bar Patrons - Reasonable Efforts

New state guidelines are now in effect that require patrons to wear face coverings both in indoor and outdoor dining settings in all eleven regions in the state.

These latest guidelines require patrons to wear a mask during any interaction with wait staff, food service workers and other employees at bars and restaurants, including but not limited to when employees take patrons orders, deliver food and beverages, and service tables.

The state's rule specifically states that businesses “that take reasonable efforts to require patrons and employees to wear a face covering shall be in compliance with this subsection." While the local government enforcing the guidelines will make its own interpretation of what is “reasonable,” the state has indicated that it believes it would be “reasonable” for a business to take steps such as having a policy on face coverings, posting signs requiring face coverings for interactions with staff, and asking patrons to wear a face covering for such interactions.  

Click here to read the updated guidelines for restaurants and bars.
Tomorrow - Free Meals for Hospitality Workers at Sunda

Billy Dec and the Sunda New Asian team have created a program called #SundaService, where they provide about 100 meals each week to those most in need during these difficult times.

Tomorrow, Tuesday, September 1, the team’s focus will be on the hospitality industry. From 5:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Sunda Chicago, those who work in the hospitality industry can swing by Sunda to pick up a meal or two.

Email Jamie@SundaNewAsian.com to reserve a spot. Click here for more information on the program.
Best Member Contact - Help Us Update Our Database

The IRA is currently updating our database of member contacts to ensure we are communicating regularly with appropriate contacts at all member companies.

If you would like to ensure that another person on your team is receiving regular updates from the Association, please contact Christine DeSousa.
Please visit our website for the latest COVID-19 updates, in addition to the above resources and information for your business. Updated as of 4:55 p.m. on Monday, August 31.
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