February Restaurant Rundown

COUNTDOWN TO PROSTART® INVITATIONAL

LEGISLATIVE UPDATES

Early Bird Pricing for the Public Affairs Conference Ends Tomorrow

Save the date! The National Restaurant Association's annual Public Affairs Conference will take place April 1-3, 2025, in Washington, D.C. Connect with restaurant industry leaders from across the country to advocate on key issues that impact your business.

Don't wait - early bird pricing ends tomorrow!

Click here to register for the 2025 Public Affairs Conference. Use the code IL25 to join the Illinois delegation.

District Court Reinstates BOI Reporting Requirements

On February 18, 2025, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas lifted the stay that stopped beneficial ownership information (BOI) reporting requirements. As a result, businesses are once again required to submit a BOI report as part of the Corporate Transparency Act.

The Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has extended the reporting deadline for the majority of companies to March 21, 2025.

Click here to file a BOI report.

Tip Credit Elimination Bill Introduced

Representative Lisa Hernandez introduced HB2982, which eliminates the tip credit in the state of Illinois. The bill would take effect July 1, 2025, and it would gradually phase out the tip credit by July 1, 2027.

How You Can Help:

Share your voice! Please fill out this form to let us know if you're available to speak with legislators, testify, or do media. We will be scheduling a call in the coming weeks to talk about messaging with individuals willing to participate.
Share with your network!

Restaurant Reservation Anti-Piracy Act Introduced

Representative Margaret Croke introduced legislation that would create the Restaurant Reservation Anti-Piracy Act. This bill would make it illegal for third-party restaurant reservation services to promote or sell reservations for a restaurant without a written agreement from the restaurant to do so.

Updates on Interchange Fee Prohibition Act

This month, a federal judge declined to issue an injunction to stop the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act, which eliminates credit card swipe fees on sales taxes and gratuities, from applying to credit unions. However, the judge did extend a previous injunction from December to out-of-state banks that operate in Illinois.

Senator Duckworth Hosts Lunch with Hospitality Industry Leaders

IRA President and CEO Sam Toia joined U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth, leaders from the Little Village Chamber of Commerce, local elected officials, and other hospitality industry leaders for a lunch at Carnitas Uruapan. At this event, attendees discussed the economic impact of the proposed tariffs on Chicago businesses.

Click here to read the press release from Senator Duckworth's office.

IRA Chair Scott Weiner Joins Senator Durbin at Tariff Press Conference

IRA Chair Scott Weiner joined U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin and other business owners for a press conference discussing the potential impact of President Trump's tariffs. Scott urged Congress and the President to look at the impact of broad-based tariffs on restaurants and bars and to look at opportunities to exclude food and produce from all tariffs.

IRA AT YOUR SERVICE

Rochelle Trotter Brian Kish and Carlos Varela joined ABC 7 Chicago to talk about the grant

IRAEF Receives $230,000 Grant

Through the efforts and energy of IRAEF Chair Emeritus Rochelle Trotter, the Emeril Lagasse Foundation has awarded a $230,000 grant to the IRAEF through the Charles and Rochelle Trotter Culinary Endowment, furthering the mission to support aspiring young chefs in Chicago.

The grant stems from a special auction lot featured at Emeril Lagasse Foundation's signature fundraising event Carnivale du Vin. The lot, donated by Rochelle Trotter in honor of the Charles and Rochelle Trotter Endowment, included a 1900 Château Margaux paired with an exclusive dinner for eight in the wine room of Chef Emeril Lagasse’s flagship restaurant, Emeril’s New Orleans.

This extraordinary gift is a testament to Rochelle’s dedication to honoring Charlie Trotter’s legacy and empowering the next generation of culinary professionals. The impact of this funding will be profound—supporting education, mentorship, and hands-on training for students who dream of a future in this industry.

Click here to read the press release on the grant.

Click here to watch the ABC 7 news story on the grant.

Click here to watch the FOX 32 news story on the grant.

Participants on stage at a Laner Muchin conference

Laner Muchin Hospitality Employment Law Conference

Last Thursday, IRA President and CEO Sam Toia, IRA Chair Scott Weiner, and Gibsons Restaurant Group VP of Human Resources Rebecca Brzeczek participated in the Laner Muchin Hospitality Employment Law Conference. Sam gave remarks, while Scott and Rebecca joined the panel discussion "Burning Issues for Restaurant and Hotel Operators".

A big thank you to everyone who joined and to Rob Bernstein for coordinating!

CHEF'S TABLE TICKETS ON SALE

Join us at this year's 46th Annual Chef's Table event presented Home Grown Program supported by Sysco. The event will take place at a new venue this year, Rockwell on the River, on Thursday, April 17 with more than 30 tasting stations from restaurants throughout Chicago.

Join us for a masq-nificent time at this year's masquerade-themed event to celebrate and honor the food service industry while raising funds that benefit the IRA Educational Foundation.

Click here to purchase tickets for Chef's Table.

AI FOR RESTAURANTS

How to Use ChatGPT to Boost Profits, Enhance Guest Experience, and Streamline Operations

Join the Illinois Restaurant Association, AI expert James D. Feldman, and the Cook County Small Business Source for a practical session about harnessing AI to boost profitability, enhance guest experiences, and streamline daily operations.

Discover how to generate fresh, profitable menu ideas, personalize guest interactions, and automate marketing with ease. Plus, see a live demo to gain hands on experience.

Date: Thursday, March 6, 2025

Time: 10:00am CST

Click here to register for the business advising session.

LEM'S BAR-B-Q WINS 2025 JAMES BEARD AMERICA'S CLASSICS AWARD

Photo Credit: Eliesa Johnson

On Wednesday, February 26, the James Beard Foundation announced the winners of the 2025 America's Classics Award presented by HEINZ. These Awards are given to locally owned restaurants with timeless appeal that serve quality

food and are beloved by their communities.

We are thrilled to announce that the winner of Ameria's Classics: Great Lakes is Lem's Bar-B-Q in Chicago! Bruce and Myles Lemons opened their first restaurant on the south side of Chicago back in 1954, followed by their second with James B.

Lemons in the Chatham neighborhood 14 years later. Lem's Bar-B-Q has been going strong ever since.

Congratulations to Lem's Bar-B-Q and all the other winners!

Click here to read the press release from the James Beard Foundation.

PERFECT PAIR

For 125 years, Gordon Food Service has delivered the excellence, expertise, and quality products our customers need to design successful food service operations. We’ve grown to become the largest family-operated broad-line food distribution company in North America by upholding the same business approach since 1897—being passionately committed to the people we serve.

When There’s a Need For Food - Gordon Food Service is there. Our partnerships range from your favorite neighborhood spot, healthcare facilities and universities, to Michelin Star seeking restaurants. Wherever food is served, Gordon Food Service can have a hand in getting it on the table.

Learn more about partnering with us at www.gfs.com