WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10

Upcoming Minimum Wage and Tipped Wage Increases On July 1, 2020, minimum wage and tipped wage increases go into effect for the state of Illinois, Cook County, and city of Chicago. Please review the below rate increases and take action accordingly for your business. State of Illinois Current minimum wage - $9.25 Current tipped wage - $5.55 Minimum wage starting July 1, 2020 - $10.00 Tipped wage starting July 1, 2020 - $6.00 Click here for more information on the state of Illinois' minimum wage law. Cook County * Current minimum wage - $12.00 Current tipped wage - $5.25 Minimum wage starting July 1, 2020 - $13.00 Tipped wage starting July 1, 2020 - $5.30 Click here for more information on Cook County's minimum wage law. * More than 100 municipalities within Cook County have opted out of Cook County's minimum wage ordinance. Please check with your local authorities to confirm whether or not this law applies to your business. If your municipality has opted out of Cook County's minimum wage ordinance, you must follow the state of Illinois' minimum wage law. Employers with tipped employees should take special note that they should pay the higher Illinois tipped wage of $6.00 per hour than the lower Cook County tipped wage of $5.30. City of Chicago ** Current minimum wage - $13.00 Current tipped wage - $6.40 Minimum wage starting July 1, 2020 - $14.00 Tipped wage starting July 1, 2020 - $8.40 Click here for more information on the city of Chicago's minimum wage law. ** Effective July 1, 2020, small employers (4-20 employees) in the city of Chicago are required to pay employees a minimum wage of $13.50 and a tipped wage of $8.10.

IRA Advocates for Indoor Dining in Phase III The IRA continues to urge Governor Pritzker and state lawmakers to allow for limited indoor dining during Phase III of Restore Illinois . Read more: Chicago Tribune - Once more with feeling: Gov. Pritzker, reopen restaurants WGN Radio - Illinois Restaurant Association President Sam Toia: ‘Restaurants are the soul of all our neighborhoods’

City of Chicago Building Repair Guide

The Department of Buildings is committed to enhancing the safety and quality of life for residents and businesses of the City of Chicago through permitting, inspections, trade licensing, and enforcement of the Chicago Construction Codes. For businesses responding to damage from an unexpected event, the Department has issued guidance on best practices and regulations for repairs. Click here to read the guide.

Thursday Webinar - Safe To Reopen: Proper Disinfecting and Instilling Consumer Confidence

Join the IRA and panelists from Ecolab on Thursday, June 11 at 10:00 a.m. for a webinar on providing expert guidance on cleaning and disinfecting, as well as communicating with customers to instill confidence as restaurants reopen and welcome back guests. This webinar is provided in partnership with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and the Cook County Community Recovery Initiative . Panelists: Matt Rhodes, Sr. Technical Account Specialist, Restaurant Segment, Ecolab Elizabeth Graven, Assistant Marketing Manager, Ecolab Dan Pignato, Assistant Vice President, Institutional Area Manager, Western Great Lakes, Ecolab Click here to register.

Loans Available for Suburban Cook County Small Businesses - Apply Today

The Cook County Community Recovery Fund , part of the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development’s Community Recovery Initiative, is open to certain small businesses, “gig” workers and independent contractors. The IRA is a proud partner of the Cook County Community Recovery Initiative .  All applicants must be located in suburban Cook County (outside the boundaries of the city of Chicago) . The Cook County Community Recovery Fund offers one-time, zero-interest loans of up to $20,000 for small businesses and up to $10,000 for independent contractors in suburban Cook County. Small Businesses located in suburban Cook County are eligible for the fund if they: Employ 25 or fewer employees Earn less than $3 million in annual revenue Saw revenues decrease up to 25% as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic Independent Contractors located in suburban Cook County are eligible for the fund if they: Make at least half their yearly income in 1099 contract work Earn less than $100,000 annually Reside in suburban Cook County (outside the boundaries of the City of Chicago) The application will remain open for ten days from the launch. Loans will be available to applicants who qualify for the Cook County Community Recovery Fund until the funds are exhausted. Click here to learn more and apply today.

Please  visit our website  for the latest COVID-19 updates, in addition to the above resources and information for your business. Updated as of 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10.

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