Phase 5 Guidance for Restaurants, Bars, and Events - What Operators Need to Know
Starting Friday, June 11, the state of Illinois, Cook County, and city of Chicago will enter Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois plan.
Click here to read the state's Phase 5 Guidance for Businesses and Venues.
In addition to the above general guidance, the IRA has confirmed from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) that the following provisions apply to businesses - including restaurants, bars, and event venues - effective Friday, June 11:
- Businesses are no longer required to mandate masks for guests or staff, or ensure social distancing between parties.
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Businesses are encouraged to continue to promote and support use of face coverings and continued social distancing for those unvaccinated persons that are still required under the latest Executive Order.
- Businesses should also confer with their local jurisdictions, as municipalities are permitted to require face coverings and social distancing as they deem appropriate.
- Businesses may operate at full capacity.
- There are no longer restrictions in place on various operations at restaurants/bars/events.
- Restrictions on table sizes, standing areas, dance floors, self-serve buffets, condiment placement, etc. no longer apply.
- Businesses are not required to enforce that unvaccinated people wear masks in their establishment.
- Masking is still required on public transportation, congregate facilities, health care facilities, schools, day cares, and educational institutions.
- Businesses are encouraged to continue to promote the relevant use of facial coverings especially in settings serving patrons that may be unvaccinated.
- Businesses and venues may continue to require face coverings and/or social distancing for guests and/or staff if they choose.
We expect the city of Chicago and Cook County to align their Phase 5 regulations with those issued by the state of Illinois, and will share relevant local guidance as soon as it is available.
Contact Matt Quinn with any questions about Phase 5 regulations and guidelines.
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$60B RRF Replenishment Act Introduced, Take Action Now |
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The Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) has been an incredibly effective recovery tool for the restaurant industry, but for too many owners, the $28.6 billion in funding won’t last long enough for them receive a dollar in disaster funding. The SBA estimates that they need at least an additional $50 billion just to fund the applications submitted before the application portal was closed.
The IRA and National Restaurant Association have been in close contact with the sponsors of the RESTAURANTS Act, and are pleased to announce that tomorrow, the RRF Replenishment Act will be introduced. This new legislation will direct $60 billion in funding to the SBA, allowing them to complete the mission and provide sorely needed recovery dollars for the restaurant industry.
The work of these sponsors, Senator Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS), Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), and Representative Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) has been critical. But they need our help. This bill will not be brought to the floor for debate unless there is broad bipartisan support.
Congress heard our voice when they created the RRF – they need to hear from us again to ensure it receives more funding. Many in Washington think that the return to indoor dining means that the restaurants will be fully back to normal within a few months. The truth is that this industry is incredibly vulnerable and faces a long path to recovery. We need this bill.
If you care about the Restaurant Revitalization Fund and agree that the struggles of the restaurant industry warrant continued federal support, we urge you to weigh in with your representatives in Washington. Add your voice, share your perspective, and together we can move Congress to support our favorite local restaurants.
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Details Released on President Biden Tax Proposals: Higher Rates and a Broader Base
The Biden Administration recently released a fiscal year 2022 budget proposal that adjusts tax rates on businesses and high-income individuals to finance both traditional physical infrastructure projects and “human” infrastructure programs. These recommendations, outlined in the American Jobs Plan and American Families Plan, are shared with Congress as they consider legislation in coming months.
What Is Included in the Biden Administration Recommendations:
- Increases the corporate tax rate to 28% from 21%, effective in 2022.
- Establishes a minimum corporate tax of 15% for large businesses.
- Increases the top individual income tax rate from 37%* to 39.6%* and tax income from long-term capital gains and carried interest at ordinary rates for upper income households.
- *This does not include the existing 3.8% net investment income (NII) tax.
- Eliminates the “step-up” in basis for inherited assets in excess of $1 million per-person.
- Revises the global Minimum Tax regime, disallows deductions attributable to exempt income, and limits corporate inversions.
What Isn’t Included in the Biden Administration Recommendations:
- Changes to Section 199A deduction, which provides many small “pass-through” businesses with a 20% rate cut on business income reported on individual tax returns.
- Other than the step-up basis elimination, no additional increase to the estate tax.
- No extension of the individual tax rates established in 2017, many of which expire in 2025.
Process in Congress:
The budget request is non-binding, as only Congress can author tax legislation. Legislators are expected to address these policies in two phases: first, the infrastructure / American Jobs Plan, and second the American Families Plan. Both House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer (D-NY) want to move legislation before the August recess.
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Webinar Tomorrow Morning - Restaurants Restored: Operating Safely and Vaccine Policies for Your Guests and Staff |
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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 5:25 p.m. on Wednesday, June 9.
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THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS |
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