WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14

State of Illinois Announces New COVID-19 Mass Vaccination Site to Open in Cook County To further expand availability of the COVID-19 vaccine, Governor Pritzker today announced an additional state mass vaccination site in Cook County that will open to all eligible Illinois residents on Thursday, April 15. As of April 12, all Illinois residents age 16 and older are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine with nearly 19,000 residents receiving vaccinations at state mass vaccination sites in the first 24 hours of universal vaccine eligibility. Opening on April 15, the former Target location in Matteson is the 12th mass vaccination site located in Cook and the collar counties and is the state's 21st mass vaccination site open to all eligible Illinois residents. With the state's seven-day test positivity rate and hospitalizations on the rise, local and state health officials are urging Illinois residents to seek out a vaccination location near them in order to protect themselves and their families from COVID-19. Click here to read the announcement. Click here for information regarding vaccination locations as well as details on how to book an appointment to receive the vaccine. The city of Chicago plans to open up vaccine eligibility to all Chicagoans over the age of 16 by Monday, April 19. The IRA will be announcing additional foodservice worker vaccination events in the city of Chicago in the coming days.

IRA Board Member Erick Williams Receives Mayor Medal of Honor

This week, Mayor Lightfoot announced the Mayor’s Medal of Honor, a new Mayoral award that will honor individuals and organizations who have made extraordinary contributions to Chicago’s residents throughout 2020 and particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Congratulations to IRA Board member Erick Williams of Virtue, who has been named as one of the inaugural recipients of the award for his commitment to promoting social justice and donating meals to frontline workers.  Click here to read more.

Review the RRF FAQ to Prepare for Applications

The National Restaurant Association recently released an extensive FAQ on the Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF). While we await the release of the RRF application from SBA, operators should review the FAQ now to begin preparing critical documents for their applications. Click here to review the FAQs for updates about applications, eligibility, determining grant amounts, and more common operator questions.

Thursday Deadline for Chicago Alfresco Program

The city of Chicago recently announced Chicago Alfresco, an initiative to increase outdoor dining area and the opportunity for businesses and community organizations to design creative long-term outdoor spaces.  The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) is seeking Chicago Alfresco proposals from community organizations such as chambers of commerce, Special Service Area providers, and other not-for-profit organizations interested in creating longer-term active community spaces that support outdoor dining or highlight community-focused placemaking, support community identity, and provide opportunities for public enjoyment. Interested neighborhood organizations can find more information at chicago.gov/alfresco. The deadline for neighborhood organizations to submit Chicago Alfresco proposals is Thursday, April 15 at 5:00 p.m. The City will approve the first round of plans by April 30.

Join Us Next Week for the National Public Affairs Conference Next week is the National Restaurant Association Public Affairs Conference on Tuesday, April 20, and the IRA will be hosting meetings with several Congressional leaders on Wednesday, April 21.  Click here to review the agenda, which is being updated frequently.  Click here to register today for $50 with promo code PAFCMEMBER. Contact Matt Quinn with any questions.

Get Certified in ServSafe Sanitation Manager Training - IRA Class Schedule Posted Through August

The IRA's Sanitation Manager class schedule is posted through August. 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 August, or call (312) 787-4000 to schedule a private class at your location.

Please visit our website for the latest COVID-19 updates, in addition to the above resources and information for your business. Updated as of 5:50 p.m. on Wednesday, April 14.

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