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TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 2
Cook County Announces New Mitigations for Restaurants and Bars

Today, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) cleared Region 10 (Cook County) to advance to Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois Plan. However, Cook County has announced that it will adopt mitigations similar to the city of Chicago's current restrictions on indoor dining at restaurants and bars - which will cap indoor capacity at restaurants and bars to the lesser of 25% or 25 people per room or space.

Click here to read the full announcement on Cook County mitigations.

The Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) has stated that the county will reassess reopening regulations after a two week period of monitoring COVID-19 indicators.

The IRA continues to advocate for operators in Cook County, Chicago, and across all Illinois regions to be able to serve more diners safely with extensive safety measures in place. The hospitality industry is heavily-regulated, frequently-inspected, and needs more from local and state officials to get through the coming months.

Restrictions for restaurant and bars in Cook County will include the following:

  • Indoor services are limited to the lesser of 25 patrons or 25% of capacity per room.
  • Food must be available at all times in order to offer indoor service. Bars, taverns or breweries without a food license can reopen indoors as long as they partner with a food establishment (e.g., making menus available and allowing delivery, allowing patrons to order from third-party delivery services).
  • Indoor and outdoor table size limited to no more than six people.
  • Table placement must allow for parties to be seated 6 feet apart from one another.
  • Bar seating allowed with 6 feet between parties.
  • All staff must be masked at all times. Patrons are required to be masked unless actively eating. Those seated at the bar must be masked and not allowed to sit unmasked unless eating or actively drinking. If a patron is unmasked a member of the restaurant staff must ask the customer to mask and if not complied with after requested to leave. Failure to require patrons to be masked will be seen as a violation of the establishment to operate safely.
  • No congregating of patrons allowed prior to being seated. Customers waiting for a table must wait socially-spaced outdoors.
  • Outdoor service includes:
  • Rooms with retractable roofs
  • Rooftops
  • Multi-party structures, such as tents, with at least 50% of walls open
  • Single-party structures, such as igloos, with proper ventilation
  • Tables indoors within eight feet of an open wall or window that is at least 50% open to the outdoor air

Restrictions for meetings, social events and gatherings in Cook County - including, but not limited to, weddings, potlucks, etc. - include:

  • Indoor events allowed at the lesser of 25% capacity, or a maximum of 25 individuals. Events must follow indoor dining guidelines.

Status of Indoor Dining at Restaurants by Region (as of Tuesday, February 2)

  • Indoor dining at restaurants is permitted in Regions 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 at levels allowed in Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan, with occupancy limits determined by social distancing of six feet.
  • The city of Chicago (Region 11) has advanced to Phase 4 of Restore Illinois; however, the city is currently maintaining occupancy restrictions at restaurants and bars at 25% occupancy or 25 people per room, (whichever is fewer).
  • Click here to review the city of Chicago's current regulations for restaurants and bars. 
  • Cook County (Region 10) has also advanced to Phase 4 of Restore Illinois; however, the county is currently maintaining occupancy restrictions at restaurants and bars at 25% occupancy or 25 people per room, (whichever is fewer).
  • Click here to review Cook County's current regulations for restaurants and bars. 
  • Indoor dining at restaurants is now permitted in Regions 8 and 9 at 25% occupancy or 25 people per room (whichever is fewer), as allowed in Tier 1 mitigations.
  • Indoor dining at restaurants is not yet permitted in Regions 4, which has only advanced to Tier 2 mitigations.

Click here to check which tier and phase regions are in currently.
Update on Federal Grant Program for Restaurants - $25 Billion in Funding

Late yesterday, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer outlined the framework of the COVID stimulus bill they hope to unveil later this month. The framework includes a reference to a “dedicated grant relief program for restaurants”, and Sen. Schumer has suggested that this program will receive $25 billion in funding. 

The language is still be drafted, and the IRA and National Restaurant Association has been working with congressional leaders on how best to structure a program that will benefit the entire restaurant sector. 

More details are needed, particularly whether the plan will eliminate the tip credit and institute a $15 wage. But it is encouraging news for our 10-month efforts to secure restaurant-specific relief for our industry.

The IRA looks forward to seeing the full proposal from congressional leaders and appreciate that our industry remains in the forefront of discussion for federal relief.
Now Required - Sexual Harassment Prevention Training for All Restaurant and Bar Employees, Model Training in Spanish Now Available

Effective January 1, 2020, Illinois employers are required to provide annual sexual harassment prevention training to all employees. Compliance must be achieved by December 31 every year.

Restaurants and bars are also required to provide supplemental sexual harassment prevention training to all employees, regardless of employment classification.

What Restaurants and Bars Need to Know
 
  • Businesses may use their own internal program if it meets mandated minimum training standards.
  • Approved online training is also available at ServSafe.com.
  • Free online training for restaurants and bars is also available in English and Spanish on the Illinois Department of Human Rights (IDHR) website.
  • Proof of training must be provided upon request from IDHR.
  • Records should include the names of employees trained, the training date, sign-in sheets, copies of certificates of participation, and a copy of all written or recorded materials that comprise the training, as well as the name of the training provider, if applicable.
  • Records may be paper-based, or electronic.
  • In addition to the training requirement, employers must also establish a written sexual harassment prevention policy available in English and Spanish, and provide a copy to all employees within the first calendar week of employment.
  • The policy may be included in the company handbook, or distributed as a separate document.
  • Employees should acknowledge receipt of the policy with their signature.
  • The IRA has developed a policy template which has been vetted by our attorneys, and is available to download in English and Spanish on our website.  

Click here to review the FAQ from IDHR. Contact IRA Director of Education Mary Wilkie with any questions.
Please visit our website for the latest COVID-19 updates, in addition to the above resources and information for your business. Updated as of 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 2.
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