Congratulations to Illinois' James Beard Award Nominees!
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This evening, the James Beard Foundation announced the 2020 James Beard Award finalists with 9 nominations going to Illinois. Congratulations to all the talented chefs, restaurateurs, and industry professionals nominated for this great honor!
Best Chef: Great Lakes Region
- Jason Hammel, Lula Cafe
- Gene Kato, Momotaro
- Noah Sandoval, Oriole
- John Shields and Karen Urie Shields, Smyth
- Erick Williams, Virtue
- Lee Wolen, Boka
Outstanding Wine Program
Outstanding Bar Program
Click here
to read more from Chicago Tribune.
Click here
to view the full list of finalists from the James Beard Foundation
The winners will be announced at the Awards Friday, September 25 in Chicago. The IRA worked closely with JBF to identify a date for the rescheduled ceremony. Its timing over Chicago Gourmet weekend will only augment the spirit of celebration for our industry, both in Chicago and nationwide.
The IRA and Choose Chicago are proud hosts of the Awards through 2027.
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Treasury Confirms Employers Will Not Be Penalized in PPP if an Employee Refuses to Return to Work
Due to enhanced unemployment benefits, many restaurants are struggling to comply with Paycheck Protection Program rehiring requirements. The IRA and National Restaurant Association continue to urge the Treasury Department to make changes to PPP rules that provide much-needed benefits to restaurants.
Earlier today, the Treasury Department released new guidance on PPP loan forgiveness provisions. Citing their “de minimis” exemption authority, they advise that an employer will not be penalized with reduced PPP loan forgiveness if an employee rejects an offer to return to their job. See the latest FAQ answered below:
40. Question:
Will a borrower’s PPP loan forgiveness amount (pursuant to section 1106 of the CARES Act and SBA’s implementing rules and guidance) be reduced if the borrower laid off an employee, offered to rehire the same employee, but the employee declined the offer?
Answer:
No. As an exercise of the Administrator’s and the Secretary’s authority under Section 1106(d)(6) of the CARES Act to prescribe regulations granting de minimis exemptions from the Act’s limits on loan forgiveness, SBA and Treasury intend to issue an interim final rule excluding laid-off employees whom the borrower offered to rehire (for the same salary/wages and same number of hours) from the CARES Act’s loan forgiveness reduction calculation. The interim final rule will specify that, to qualify for this exception, the borrower must have made a good faith, written offer of rehire, and the employee’s rejection of that offer must be documented by the borrower. Employees and employers should be aware that employees who reject offers of re-employment may forfeit eligibility for continued unemployment compensation.
The IRA will continue to work with the National Restaurant Association and state restaurant association partners to obtain additional detailed guidance on other related PPP topics including: calculating FTEs during the covered period; using aggregate wages vs average wages in calculating payroll; treatment of unspent funds and forgiveness of eligible expenses from a PPP loan; and, addressing Treasury’s interpretation of payroll computation using cash or accrual basis.
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Sam Toia Discusses Revitalization Strategies with Senate Working Group
This afternoon, IRA President & CEO Sam Toia addressed the Illinois Senate Economic Revitalization Working Group to discuss ways the state of Illinois can support our restaurant and hospitality industry.
Sam recommended sales tax deferrals for all restaurant and bars, a delay in the state's minimum wage increase, suspending the ILCC retailer delinquency list, cocktails to go, allowing restaurants to operate as grocery stores, and more.
The IRA will be testifying on several House and Senate panels in the coming weeks to advocate for enhanced regulatory and financial relief for restaurants.
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IRA Urging State to Allow Cocktails/Mixed Drinks To Go
In late March, the Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) affirmed that cocktails to go
are not permitted
in Illinois. However, the IRA continues to urge the Governor's office, General Assembly, and ILCC to make a pragmatic rule change to allow for the sale and delivery of mixed drinks/cocktails by restaurants and bars across the state.
We are fully supportive of the
Cocktails for Hope
initiative founded by IRA member Julia Momose of
Kumiko
that has a petition with 9,500+ signers to help make this action happen.
Click here
to sign a petition to urge the state of Illinois to take action.
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Sam Toia Talks With NBC About the Road to Recovery tor Restaurants
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IRA President & CEO Sam Toia recently spoke with NBC about what the road to reopening and recovery will look like for Chicago and Illinois restaurants.
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Website Resources for Spanish-Speaking Communities
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The website includes resources for financial, legal, medical, and food assistance, and links to organizations that serve vulnerable communities.
We thank Sam for his steadfast commitment to helping immigrant populations across Illinois.
Click here
to visit the website. Please share the website with your team members and colleagues.
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HUB Hospitality Industry Q+A Virtual Panel - COVID-19 and Beyond
While all industries have been impacted by COVID-19, no industry has been hit as hard as hospitality. It is critical for hospitality business managers to know what options exist to help maintain their business and how to prepare to reopen when the time is right.
Join the IRA and IRA Silver Sponsor
HUB International
for a
webinar Wednesday, May 6 at 2:00 p.m.
for a webinar featuring an expert panel of speakers with diverse areas of focus within the industry. Panelists include IRA President & CEO Sam Toia, IRA Board member Patrick Wartan of Taft Law, Kristin Cronhardt of MindMeld Partners, Chris Plunkett of Sunda and Underhround, and Paul DiBenedetto of HUB.
We invite you to join us as we answer your most pressing questions.
Click here
to register.
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Please
visit our website
for the latest COVID-19 updates, in addition to the above resources and information for your business - updated as of 6:45 p.m. Monday, May 4.
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