MONDAY, DECEMBER 7
Take Action - Congress Must Support Restaurants This Year!
Today, the IRA, in coordination with the National Restaurant Association, is launching a new call to action campaign urging Congress to take immediate action to support restaurants by the end of the year. Congress is in session for only a few days more, and if they do not get their job done – restaurants will be in the cold until this February at the earliest.

We need Congress to pass the Blueprint for Revival - including the $120B RESTAURANTS ACT - but we also need to ensure that Congress at least makes a “down payment” on a relief plan before leaving town for the year. Congress has heard from you before, but they need to hear from you in these final days of 2020 as we push for the future of the restaurant industry.

Here's how you can help our efforts right now:

  • Take 10 seconds to send a message to Illinois Congressional leaders urging them to pass an immediate relief package.
  • Post the above graphic on your personal and business social media channels with the below caption:
  • "We’re calling for direct federal financial support for struggling restaurants. Unless we take action, thousands of restaurants will permanently close. Support the RESTAURANTS Act by visiting illinoisrestaurants.org. #SaveOurJobs #FightForIllinoisRestaurants @illinoisrestaurants"
  • Click here to access a social media toolkit for supporting federal restaurant relief on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter

Additional materials to reference:


We'll be rolling out new calls to action daily, so stay tuned for additional information throughout the week. Thank you for your continued engagement and support!
Cook County Resident Cash Assistance Program Application Reopens - Webinar Tomorrow Morning
This afternoon, IRA President & CEO Sam Toia joined Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, the Cook County Bureau of Economic Development, and the Family Independence Initiative (FII) to announce an additional $7 million in funding to expand and re-open the Cook County COVID-19 Recovery Resident Cash Assistance program to help suburban Cook County residents experiencing financial insecurity due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Applications for the program have reopened as of today, and residents have until Friday, December 11 at 11:59 p.m. to apply. Click here to learn more and apply.

Join the IRA, Cook County, and Family Independence Initiative for an informational webinar tomorrow, Tuesday, December 8 at 10:00 a.m. to review the process and best practices for applying for $600 grants through the Resident Assistance Program.

Click here to register for the webinar.
Let's Talk Invites Chicago Women Restaurateurs & Corporate Support

Let’s Talk is a collaboration of leading women restaurateurs, founded in July by IRA Advisory Council member and JBF Trustee, Rohini Dey of Vermilion, for women as business owners to counter the pandemic together. It is across ten cities with over 250 women restaurateurs galvanized together. Let's Talk is supported by the James Beard Foundation, IRA and Choose Chicago. Chicago Let's Talk is 24 of Chicago's foremost women-led restaurants and extends an open invitation to all women restaurateurs or women owned F&B retail to join us. Contact Rohini Dey to learn more about getting engaged with Let's Talk.

Let's Talk also invites all corporations to support Chicago's women restaurateurs:
  1. By ordering our tasting menus for your corporate/team holiday events over December
  2. By visibly showcasing our economic collaboration in your corporate events (panels & conversations)
  3. By approaching Let's Talk for direct sponsorships, grants, or other avenues to work together

Chicago Let’s Talk women restaurateurs are currently offering the corporate segment multi-restaurant tastings (for pick up and delivery throughout Chicago) and conversations for virtual holiday entertainment through Let's Talk Chicago Corporate Holiday Tastings. Gifts Baskets are also offered to corporations and consumers. 
Last Call for IRA Industry Awards Nominations

Today is the deadline to submit nominations for the 2020 IRA Industry Awards.

Please take one minute to nominate your peers that have gone above and beyond for their community, their employees, and the industry as a whole. Click here to submit nominations.
Services Available Through Illinois Access to Justice Program
Illinois Access to Justice seeks to provide legal representation, resources, and education for those in vulnerable communities dealing with the devastating consequences of incarceration and family separation. 

Click here to learn more and request assistance.
Please visit our website for the latest COVID-19 updates, in addition to the above resources and information for your business. Updated as of 2:40 p.m. on Monday, December 7.
THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS