APRIL 30, 2020
ILCC Allows for Returns of Wine and Spirits to Distributors

This morning, the Illinois Liquor Control Commission (ILCC) authorized the return of wine and spirits sold and delivered by a distributor to a retailer based on ten conditions.

The IRA commends the ILCC for their pragmatic action to allow for legal returns of wine and spirits from retailers to distributors. This rule change is a part of the series of regulatory changes the IRA has urged ILCC to make over the past month that will directly benefit restaurants and bars around the state. We thank Chicago Gourmet Presenting Sponsor Southern Glazer's Wine & Spirits for their advocacy on this issue as well.

The conditions for wine and spirits returns are as follows:

  1. Wine and Spirits Returns are authorized only for original purchases and deliveries made on or after February 18, 2020 and on or before March 16, 2020.
  2. Retailers shall request a Wine and Spirits Return to a Distributor no later than June 1, 2020.
  3. Wine and Spirit Returns are authorized only for retailers licensed to sell alcoholic liquor for on-premises consumption or combined on/off-premises consumption.
  4. Wine and Spirit Returns are authorized for wine and spirits in the original case only. Returned cases shall include products of the same size and brand as originally purchased.
  5. Wine and Spirits Returns are only authorized for credit against outstanding indebtedness or future indebtedness. No returns for cash or same/similar products are permitted.
  6. This return policy shall not be construed to create a mandatory obligation by a Distributor to accept a Wine and Spirits Return.
  7. If a Distributor accepts Wine and Spirits Returns under these conditions, it shall accept such returns from all similarly situated retailers. Distributors criteria for accepting returns shall not be based on the volume of business transactions between Distributor and retailer or on the indebtedness of the retailer.
  8. The original sale of wine and spirits cannot have been made to the retailer with the privilege of return.
  9. The Wine and Spirits Return cannot be a part of pattern of sales and returns made between a Distributor and a retailer.
  10. All Wine and Spirits Returns shall be documented by a notation on a credit invoice as a “Stay at Home Order Return” or by a substantially similar notation. All such records shall be maintained according to all State Commission records retention and records availability rules (e.g. retailer 90-day invoice requirement; three years records retention schedule).

Click here to read the latest from ILCC.
Reopening Guidelines from National Restaurant Association and ServSafe, Complete the IRA Reopening Survey
The ServSafe and National Restaurant Association teams have developed reopening guidance to assist and guide the work of state restaurant associations and state governments with their opening plans.

The goal with this first version is to help restaurants open safely and to reassure the public that social gathering for a meal is, again, a safe activity.

Click here to read the guidance.

The IRA is reviewing the best practices established through ServSafe, reopening policies in other states, and results from our IRA member reopening survey to guide our conversations with elected officials and public health experts about reopening restaurants in Illinois.

If you have not already done so, please complete the IRA reopening survey to share your insights on the reopening strategy in Illinois.
Tell Congress to Support the Restaurant Blueprint for Recovery

The National Restaurant Association has launched a nationwide grassroots campaign to encourage Congress to support the  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.
Sam Toia Discusses the Future of Local Dining With Roe Conn

IRA President & CEO Sam Toia recently joined The Roe Conn Show to talk about what dining may look like in the future after COVID-19.

Click here to listen to the interview.
Please  visit our website  for the latest COVID-19 updates, in addition to the above resources and information for your business - updated as of 5:45 p.m. Thursday, April 30.