WEDNESDAY, JULY 29
HEALS Act - Analysis and Impact on Restaurants

Earlier this week, Senate Republicans introduced a series of bills that collectively make up the Health Economic Assistance Liability Protection and Schools (HEALS) Act Proposal.

In short - the HEALS Act is a step in the right direction. However, more targeted relief for the restaurant industry - including the tenets of the Blueprint for Revival - is needed.

Click here to review an analysis of the HEALS Act from the National Restaurant Association.

We continue to push Congress to take action to pass the RESTAURANTS Act - a $120 billion restaurant recovery fund - proposed by Senators Wicker and Sinema in the Senate. 

Click here to urge Illinois' Congressional leaders to support restaurants and employees by passing the Blueprint for Revival.
Cook County Updates Travel Order, Now Includes 22 States

The Cook County Department of Public Health's emergency travel guidance now directs travelers from 22 states to quarantine for 14 days.

The guidance mirrors the city of Chicago's travel order , which also requires anyone visiting or returning to the city from one of 22 states to self-quarantine for two weeks. Essential workers are exempt from this order.

Cook County will follow the same list of states as the one taking effect in the city of Chicago Friday. The county's list, updated every Tuesday, included four more states this week: Wisconsin, North Dakota, Nebraska and Missouri.

Click here to read more from NBC Chicago.

Click here to review Cook County's travel order. Click here to review the city of Chicago's travel order.
IRA Class Schedule Posted Through December - Get Certified in ServSafe Sanitation Manager Training
The IRA's Sanitation Manager class schedule has been posted through December 2020. Protect your business and reassure your customers that you are prepared to meet ongoing challenges by having certified Sanitation Managers on staff. 

The IRA is your trusted source for training and certification. We are complying with all new safety and social distancing guidelines, and limiting classes to groups of 18 - with seating six feet apart. All attendees will be required to wear a face mask, and bring a #2 pencil for the certification exam.

Our instructors are recognized as leaders in foodservice instruction, and are certified by the Chicago Department of Public Health and the National Restaurant Association.

We offer  classes every week , year-round, with bilingual instruction available in English and Spanish.  IRA members  receive discounted pricing.

Sign up  today for a class through December 2020, or call (312) 787-4000 to schedule a private class at your location. 
Illinois Department of Labor Survey on Reopening

The Illinois Department of Labor – Workplace Safety and Health Consultation Division has created a brief survey that you can take to express the challenges your small business is facing as you reopen or prepare to reopen during these unprecedented times.

Survey responses will help guide IDOL as they determine what tools and resources businesses need across Illinois.

Click here  to take the survey.
ILCC Allows Payment Plans Between Retailers and Distributors

On Monday, the Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) issued the below temporary action:

  • Until Phase V of the Governors Restore Illinois Plan, licensed distributors and licensed retailers may enter into payment plans to pay an existing debt on a sale or sales of wine and spirits occurring between February 15, 2020 and May 1, 2020.
  • All payment plans shall be active requiring regular payments.
  • If a retailer is participating in an active payment plan for qualifying debts, they shall not be reported delinquent.
  • Distributors shall offer payment plans to all similarly situated retailers and shall not base the offer of a payment plan on the amount of existing debt or the average volume of retailer purchases.
  • Payment plans are only permitted under specified guidelines. 

As of Monday, July 27, ILCC will post an updated Delinquency List and will continue to post updated lists every subsequent Thursday as required by the Liquor Control Act.

If a retailer is named on a published Delinquency List and has a good faith bona fide dispute of the amount that is owed, the retailer may file (or refile) a “bona fide dispute” with the Commission at that time. 

Click here  to read the updated ILCC guidance.
Please  visit our website  for the latest COVID-19 updates, in addition to the above resources and information for your business. Updated as of 6:20 p.m. on Wednesday, July 29.
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