Today, Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and Commissioner Allison Arwady, M.D. of the Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced that there have been worrying trends across COVID-19 health metrics, including a significant rise in cases, positivity rate and hospitalizations.

Over the past two weeks, cases have risen by more than 50%, to over 500 per day. This is the most cases per day seen in Chicago since late May. Hospitalizations are also up 25% for non-ICU COVID patients.

The City is prepared to take drastic steps in the coming days if this increase continues. Such steps may include a rollback of COVID-19 reopening regulations for businesses, including potentially restricting capacity and limiting total gathering size and/or returning to Phase III of the reopening framework. The IRA is in constant communication with city officials fighting to keep the hospitality industry open.

When asked if indoor dining at restaurants was a link to the increase in cases, Lightfoot said, “that’s not what we’re seeing in the data at all.” Lightfoot and Arwady said indoor dining was not powering the surge in COVID-19.

To combat moving backwards, Mayor Lightfoot is calling on all residents to wear masks and strictly limit social gatherings.

Click here to read the full press release and check out these articles to learn more:

Governor J.B. Pritzker announced today, southern Illinois will join the northwestern region of the state in being ordered to scale back its reopening, effective Thursday. According to the rules put in place by Pritzker’s administration, when a region's positivity rate is 8% or higher for three consecutive days, indoor dining and bar service will be suspended while gathers will be limited to 25 people.

The counties effected in Region 5 include: Alexander, Edwards, Franklin, Gallatin, Hamilton, Hardin, Jackson, Jefferson, Johnson, Marion, Massac, Perry, Pope, Pulaski, Saline, Union, Wabash, Wayne, White, and Williamson.

Regions 7 and 8 are also expected to move to mitigation this week, as both areas have seen a positivity rate over 8% for multiple days.

For more information, check out this article from the Chicago Tribune.

The Restaurant Employee Relief Fund will provide one-time grants of $500 to support restaurant employees facing an unforeseen hardship due to COVID-19. Applications are now available in both English and Spanish. 

At this time, due to our current resources and in an effort to help our most vulnerable, Restaurant Employee Relief Grants are evaluated in the following order of priority for restaurant workers who are:

Please note that all qualified grant requests will be reviewed in the order they are received. Grants are awarded to eligible individuals based on available funds and limited to one per individual.

All additional inquiries can be directed to employeerelief@illinoisrestaurants.org

Finding Cost Saving Solutions For Restaurants Webinar this Thursday at 10am

As the seasons change, get tips and ideas for saving money.

Looking for ways to save money this Fall & Winter? Join the Illinois Restaurant Association and panelists from IGS Energy, Performance Foodservice-Chicago, and EMPLOYERS this Thursday, October 22 at 10:00am CST for a webinar providing restaurant operators cost saving ideas on everything from ordering, to insurance, to utilities.

This webinar is provided in partnership with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and the Cook County Community Recovery Initiative.

**Este seminario web se transmitirá en inglés y español.**

**此网络研讨会有中文及英文两种放送版本**

Click here to register.

The Southland Development Authority recently launched the Equitable Recovery Stimulus Program – which provides targeted, industry-specific, technical and financial assistance to Southland businesses impacted by the pandemic. The Stimulus Program’s goal is to save and grow as many businesses as possible in ways which drive long-term inclusive economic growth, through outlets such as mentorship.

Given the range of business needs in the Southland, the SDA is recruiting mentors and specialists with a variety of experience, to be paid per business based on summary workplans and budgets developed with the mentors and firms.

Mentor preferred qualifications include:

If you are interested in serving as a mentor please contact Matt Schuneman at

matt@rw-ventures.com or click here for more information.

Get Certified in ServSafe Sanitation Manager Training - IRA Classes Available

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 December 2020, or call (312) 787-4000 to schedule a private class at your location.  

Click here to learn more. 

Please visit our website for the latest COVID-19 updates, in addition to the above resources and information for your business. Updated as of 5:15 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13.