Congress is inching closer to finalizing a new $900+ billion coronavirus-aid bill. The bipartisan proposal would include more than $300 billion in small business relief, including $257 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). The deal would also include large sums of funding for vaccine distribution, education, transportation and health care. 

"We made major headway for hammering out a targeted relief package," Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Wednesday on the Senate floor. He also said he believed the impending compromise can pass both the House and Senate. However, he expects to need a few more days for lawmakers to finalize the deal and write legislative text.

We have been calling on Congress to pass the RESTAURANTS Act for months, yet the current proposal still does not include this language. While we will continue to lobby for this additional relief for the industry under the new administration, we need to ensure that Congress passes a narrower “down payment” relief bill in the meantime so we can survive until a larger agreement passes next year.

Continue to help us in the final push to pass the RESTAURANTS Act to #SaveOurJobs #FightForIllinoisRestaurants. Share the below call to action at your establishments and on social media!

Read more:

Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot announced Wednesday that the Chicago Hospitality Grant Program has awarded grants of $10,000 to 995 independent bars and restaurants. These funds will provide much-needed emergency relief to businesses that have been greatly impacted throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, especially following recent state-wide mitigation measures that have closed indoor service.

In addition to the Grant Program, the City has also created the Take Out Chicago challenge and partnered with the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership to create the ChiServes.com portal for hospitality workers to access workforce development support resources.

Applications are also still live for the IRAEF Restaurant Employee Relief Fund which offers one-time grants to those in the restaurant industry affected by the pandemic. Apply here in English and apply here in Spanish.

The City Council is set to pass additional legislation providing critical regulatory relief to all businesses, including the extension of license expirations dates to July 15, 2021.

Read the full Press Release here.

As we continue to refute claims that dining in restaurants and COVID transmission are linked, we are once again asking for your help to complete a brief survey.

The data gained through the survey will be used to make scientific-based decisions on restrictions instead of reflexive actions that punish restaurants without evidence. All responses will be kept confidential.

The results of this survey could help us keep restaurants open.

Pick up Mariano’s first ever Cookbook featuring 50+ recipes from Mariano’s Tastemakers and Local Chefs.

Proceeds will benefit the IRAEF Restaurant Employee Relief Fund which offers one-time grants to those in the restaurant industry who have been impacted by the COVID 19 pandemic. Purchase copies from your local Mariano's to support this tasty cause.

Happy Cooking!

Click here to sign up.

Watch on Demand - Support and Assistance for Restaurant & Bar Workers Webinar

Thank you to everyone that attended this morning's webinar featuring opening remarks from Cook County Commissioner Bridget Gainer, and panelists from the IRA Educational Foundation, the Southern Smoke Foundation, and the West Suburban Cook County American Job Center to provide an overview of relief funds for food and beverage industry employees as well as info about other organizations and assistance programs.

**Please note, the IRA cannot guarantee the availability or eligibility of the above programs and resources.** 

This month, Chicago Gourmet launched a holiday social media campaign, #ChiGourmetHoliday, to raise awareness of the special menus, meal kits, gift ideas, delivery/carry-out specials and more available at restaurants throughout Chicagoland.

Content may be shared on Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter — where Chicago Gourmet has nearly 66,000 fans — to encourage consumer support of local restaurants at a time when they need it the most. 

Please submit holiday details and one or more high-quality photographs for potential inclusion to chicagogourmet@illinoisrestaurants.org.

Please visit our website for the latest COVID-19 updates, in addition to the above resources and information for your business. Updated as of 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 17.