APRIL 23, 2020
State of Illinois Stay at Home Order Extended Until May 30, Masks Required Starting May 1

Earlier today, Governor Pritzker announced that he will be signing an executive order next week to extend the state's stay-at-home order through May 30. This new executive order will also require all individuals over the age of two and without medical restrictions to wear a mask in public places where a 6-foot social distancing order can not be implemented.

There will also be new safety rules for essential businesses - including a requirement that businesses must provide face-coverings to all employees who are not able to maintain six-feet of social distancing.

The Governor has not yet released the Executive Order. The IRA will review and provide guidance when the official language is released.

Read more from Chicago Tribune and Eater Chicago .
House Passes Additional PPP Funding, President Trump Expected to Sign

Today, the U.S. House voted to approve a roughly $480 billion package to deliver aid to small businesses and hospitals and expand Covid-19 testing - including an additional $310 billion in Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) funding.

The vote was 388-5. The measure passed the Senate earlier this week and will now go to President Trump, who has expressed support for the legislation and indicated that he will sign it.

While necessary reforms for restaurants were not included in this round, the IRA will continue to advocate for much-needed improvements to the PPP program in order to help restaurants survive and thrive in the future.

Click here to read more from CNN.
Judge Issues Temporary Restraining Order Blocking Workers' Compensation Rule

Late this afternoon, Sangamon County Judge John M. Madonia issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) blocking the emergency workers’ compensation rules that created a presumption that the workplace was the cause of COVID-19. We will share additional updates as soon as they are available.
Complete Our Reopening Illinois Survey
As the IRA continues to evaluate what reopening restaurants might look like in Illinois, it is imperative the unique nature of our industry is captured during our conversations with elected officials and government agencies.

Our goal is to include as much of your input and data as possible as we come to the table to help develop guidelines with local and state leaders.

Please take a few minutes to complete our reopening survey and share your insights. The survey will close tomorrow night - Friday, April 24.

Click here to take the survey.
Blueprint for Recovery: Take Action Now

Yesterday, the National Restaurant Association launched a new nationwide grassroots campaign to encourage Congress to support the restaurant Blueprint for Recovery . The Blueprint calls on Congress to:

  • Authorize and Appropriate a Temporary Emergency $240 Billion Restaurant and Foodservice Industry Recovery Fund (“RFIRF”)
  • Replenish Funding and Fix the Structural Issues of the Paycheck Protection Program (“PPP”)
  • Create a Tax Credit or Grant Program for “Healthy Restaurants” 
  • Provide Federal Relief for Employer’s Share of Unemployment Insurance
  • Enact the “SNAP COVID-19 Anti-Hunger Restaurant Relief for You Act of 2020” (SNAP CARRY Act) Proposal
  • Increase Funding for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs)

Please take a minute to add your voice to this effort. Click here to take action.
Please  visit our website  for the latest COVID-19 updates, in addition to the above resources and information for your business - updated as of 8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 23.