Tomorrow: IRA Webinar on What the CARES Act Means For Restaurants
Join the IRA, congressional champions U.S. Senator Marco Rubio and U.S. Representative Nydia Velázquez, Chairs of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committees in the Senate and House, respectively, along with representatives from the Small Business Administration, American Business Immigration Coalition, National Partnership for New Americans, National Restaurant Association, and Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association Tuesday, March 31 at 12:00 p.m. (Central) for a webinar on what the CARES Act/Phase 3 stimulus package means for small businesses and nonprofits.

Click here to review a formal assessment of the legislation for the restaurant industry. Please familiarize yourself with this overview and how the legislation may impact your business and your employees.

Learn about the small business relief included in the latest coronavirus economic stimulus package passed by Congress this week, including: 

  • Who qualifies for federal loans under the stimulus package
  • How to apply for a loan & what documents you need
  • Requirements to have your loan forgiven
  • What other assistance is included in the small business relief plan

Click here to register.
Emergency Loans - Small Business Guide and Checklist
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has issued a small business guide and checklist to help businesses navigate the various loan and relief programs set up by the CARES Act. The guide includes answers to the following questions:

  • Am I Eligible?
  • What Will Vendors Be Looking For?
  • How Much Can I Borrow?
  • Will This Loan Be Forgiven?

Click here to read more.
NRAEF Restaurant Employee Relief Fund - Application Opens Thursday
The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation (NRAEF) has launched the Restaurant Employee Relief Fund to support U.S. restaurant workers financially impacted by the COVID-19 crisis.

Grants from the Fund will be awarded on a first-come first-served basis to those individuals that meet the eligibility criteria, as reviewed and verified by the NRAEF.

A one-time grant of $500 will be disbursed directly to each applicant pending review and verification that the submitted application meets the prescribed guidelines. Availability of awards will be based on available funds and will be limited to one per individual.

Applications for the fund open Thursday, April 2.

Click here to learn more.
ILCC Bulletin: To-Go Sales and Delivery of Mixed Drinks Not Authorized

Over the past week, the IRA has fought hard for the industry with the Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) on the issue of selling mixed drinks during this closure of on-premise dining and drinking. Unfortunately, while both the city of Chicago and state of Illinois empathize with the dire circumstances restaurants and bars are currently facing, this is one area where they are not able to facilitate our request due to legal and health concerns.

Last night, in response to the IRA's inquiries and a grassroots petition campaign with 3,700+ signers, ILCC issued a bulletin explaining why to-go sales and delivery of premixed cocktails are not authorized in the state of Illinois.

Click here to read the bulletin. ILCC's concerns include added liabilities and risk of mix ups by third party delivery services upon delivery, and restrictions due to Illinois' open container laws while operating a motor vehicle.

While we are disappointed with ILCC's determination, the IRA will continue to work nonstop to provide all forms of regulatory and financial relief for restaurants and their employees at the local, state, and federal levels.
Looking for the Latest COVID-19 Resources and Updates? Visit the IRA Website

As always, the IRA staff is available as a resource to you. Our team is 100% focused on helping Illinois' restaurants navigate through the COVID-19 crisis.

Please visit our website for the latest coronavirus updates, in addition to the above resources and information for your business - updated as of 1:25 p.m. Monday, March 30.