Congratulations to the James Beard Award Winners! | | |
Another memorable year of the James Beard Awards in Chicago is on the books! We extend our congratulations to all the winners and hope you had a wonderful time throughout the weekend and on awards night. From near and far, we are grateful to be able to gather with our friends for such a special time. See you next year!
We’d especially like to recognize Julia Momose, Kumiko, 2025 winner for Outstanding Bar, Noah Sandoval, Oriole, 2025 winner for Best Chef: Great Lakes, and Art Smith for Documentary Visual Media for MARCELLA. Well-deserved honors on a national stage! Chicago is proud.
| | Window Signage Ordinance Update | | The proposed updates to the sign ordinance were deferred at the last committee meeting. Our coalition, including the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, Illinois Restaurant Association, Chicago Association of REALTORS®, Hospitality Business Association of Chicago, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, and BOMA/Chicago, will be meeting with aldermen and department heads to develop a workable solution. | | Minimum Wage and Other Labor Law Changes for July 1 | | |
Earlier this month, the City of Chicago released the new minimum wage rates that will go into effect on July 1, 2026. Starting July 1, the minimum wage will be $16.60 for non-tipped employees and the $12.62 for tipped employees.
The minimum wages for both Cook County and the State of Illinois at large are not changing. They will remain at $15 per hour for non-tipped employees and $9 per hour for tipped employees.
Additionally, on July 1, 2025, the Fair Workweek Ordinance will include updated compensation metrics. The Fair Workweek Ordinance requires certain employers to provide workers with predictable work schedules. This ordinance only applies to restaurateurs with more than 250 employees and 30 or more locations globally. Starting on July 1, covered employees are those who earn less than or equal to $32.60/hour (previously $26.00/hour) or $62,561.90/year (previously $50,000/year), among other requirements.
Effective July 1, 2025, the paid leave provisions of the Paid Leave and Sick and Safe Leave Ordinance may be enforced through a private cause of action. Any employer who denies leave to an employee covered by the ordinance may be sued by the employee in a civil action for damages equal to three times the full amount of the leave that was denied or lost, in addition to interest and attorneys’ fees. The city’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection also remains authorized to enforce the ordinance, which provides for fines ranging from $500 to $3,000 per violation depending on the nature of the violation.
Click here to read the announcement regarding the change in labor laws as of July 1, 2025.
| | Ordinance Introduced to Pause Tip Credit Elimination in Chicago | | Sales Tax Rate Changes Going into Effect on July 1 | | |
Starting on July 1, 2025, certain taxing jurisdictions have imposed a local sales tax or changed their local sales rate on general merchandise sales. This also affects the business district sales tax; county public safety, public facilities, mental health, substance abuse, or transportation sales tax; county school facilities tax; home rule municipal sales tax; and non-home rule municipal sales tax.
To verify your new combined tax rate, go to the MyTax Illinois Tax Rate Finder and select rates for July 2025.
For more information about the sales tax rate changes, please view this notice from the Illinois Department of Revenue.
| | Dinner on the NASCAR Track | | | | We’re kicking off Chicago Gourmet with a NEW once-in-a-lifetime dining experience—right on the start/finish line of NASCAR’s Chicago Street Race. This exclusive, chef-driven Italian dinner brings together top chefs preparing five special courses paired with signature cocktails from Jose Cuervo and premium wine pours from Marchesi Antinori, courtesy of Chicago Gourmet presenting sponsor, Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits. | | Game Day Gourmet at the Crosstown Classic | | | | |
Whether you have North Side pride or South Side swagger, everyone’s on the same team when it comes to great food and good vibes. This NEW for 2025 event will include a “duck dog” showdown with host Chef Kevin Hickey where attendees will watch the game inside an air-conditioned private event suite with wine, beer, cocktails, and gourmet game day fare.
BONUS: Get a sneak peek at what else is coming down the line for this year’s Chicago Gourmet!
Click here to buy tickets to Game Day Gourmet.
| | Leveraging Workforce Development Resources for Restaurant Hiring & Retention | | | | |
Join the Illinois Restaurant Association, Origami Works, Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants, and the Cook County Small Business Source for an engaging session on how restaurant employers can leverage the workforce development ecosystem to access no or low-cost recruitment, training, and retention resources.
Discover practical strategies for connecting with regional programs to strengthen your team, reduce turnover, and build a more effective hiring pipeline.
Date: Thursday, June 26, 2025
Time: 10:00am
Click here to register for the business advising session.
| | Save the Date: Scholarship Awards Luncheon on Saturday, July 12 | | | | |
Donors are warmly invited to join us in person to present their scholarships to student recipients. To date, we’ve awarded $3.4 million in scholarships to high school and college students pursuing careers in culinary and hospitality management.
At this year’s celebration, 48 students will be honored with a total of $115,000 in scholarships—recognizing their dedication through coursework, work experience, and credentials. Special thanks to Chartwells for generously hosting this year’s Scholarship Awards Luncheon!
Donate here and award your scholarship today! Please contact Jessica Blomquist for more information.
Click here to RSVP for the IRAEF Scholarship Luncheon.
| | Chicago Cubs Rooftop Membership Mixer | | Get Your Tickets for the 2025 IRA Golf Classic | | | | |
The IRA would like to thank all existing members and welcome new members With our first New Member Orientation coming up on June 25, refer a restaurant to join today.
For more information about the benefits of becoming an IRA member, contact Lisa Gilbert.
| | THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS | | | | |
