MONDAY, NOVEMBER 16
City Considers Capping Third Party Delivery Fees

In an effort to help suffering restaurants amid a second surge of COVID-19, the Illinois Restaurant Association is working closely with Mayor Lori Lightfoot, Alderman Scott Waguespack and Alderman Matt O’Shea on an ordinance that will cap third-party delivery companies’ fees at 15%. 

Sam Toia will be testifying in support of the cap on fees tomorrow, Tuesday, November 17 at the Finance/License and Consumer Protection Committees Meeting.

Read more here:
Safe Outdoor Dining Practices

The City of Chicago has asked the IRA to communicate the following regulations to ensure that bars and restaurants are operating safely outdoor: 

  • Tents and other multi-party outdoor enclosures are only permitted if at least 50% of the sides are open. Per the State of Illinois, fully enclosed, multi-party structures are considered indoors and are not permitted at this time. 
  • Individual party structures, such as plastic domes, are allowed but must be ventilated
  • Natural gas heaters or any devices fueled with propane are only allowed in open, uncovered areas. It is a serious health and fire hazard to have heating devices of this kind within structures.

The full guidance for safe outdoor operations during the fall and winter months can be found at chicago.gov/winterdining.
Call on Congress Today to Pass Immediate Restaurant Relief

In response to the state of Illinois' shut down of indoor service, restaurants in every region of the state need federal assistance more than ever.

The IRA is again reaching out to Illinois' Congressional delegation to further reenforce the urgent need for broad-based, immediate financial relief for restaurants. Click here to read one of the IRA's letters to Congress.

Click here to send a note to Congressional leaders today.
Webinar on Exploring New Revenue Streams For Restaurants
Join the IRA and panelists from Airbnb, Prairie Grass Cafe, and Vermilion/Let's Talk on Thursday, November 19 at 10:00 a.m. for a webinar providing restaurant operators ideas for generating new revenue by offering new options or serving different audiences. Attendees will learn ideas for incorporating new ways to generate revenue at their businesses.

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

Click here to register.
IRA Requests for Regulatory Relief from ILCC

The IRA has issued a letter to the Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) calling for immediate regulatory relief measures for the restaurant industry, including: 

  • Allow distributors to accept unopened product from retailers received between September 1 and October 31, 2020.
  • Extend the period in which licensed distributors and licensed retailers may enter into payment plans to pay an existing debt on a sale or sales of wine and spirits. 
  • Allowing for credit card payments between retailers and wine and spirits distributors.

Click here to read the letter.
Free Business Advising from Cook County COVID-19 Recovery Small Business Assistance Program 

All businesses located within the City of Chicago and suburban Cook County are eligible for technical assistance and business advising programming from the Cook County COVID-19 Recovery Small Business Assistance program to help address the unique needs arising from the pandemic.
 
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 4:50 p.m. on Monday, November 16.
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