THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2026 | | Video Gaming Updates: Hearing with Bally's Next Wednesday | |
Next Wednesday, September 9 at 1pm, the Chicago City Council Committee on License and Consumer Protection will hold a hearing with Bally's to discuss the progress of its casino development. We encourage you to attend this meeting to make your voice heard on the importance of video gaming terminals for your business.
The IRA continues to support issuing the video gaming licenses that were approved as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget. Stay tuned for further updates on this topic.
| | Get Your Tickets for the Ultimate Gourmet Tailgate | | | | |
Kick off the Chicago gourmet with Gourmet Tailgate as the Bears take on the Carolina Panthers! Catch every play while digging into elevated game day bites and sipping cold drinks and craft cocktails. Between bites, take in sweeping skyline views from the Utopian Tailgate rooftop, challenge your crew to classic tailgate games, and soak up all the energy of opening day. Come hungry, bring your Bears spirit, and get ready to eat, drink, and Bear Down. A little Super Bowl Shuffle may even be in order.
Date: Sunday, September 13 from 11:30am to 3pm
Location: Utopian Tailgate (1608 N. Wells St.)
Hosted by: Chef Jonathon Sawyer
Chefs: Marcos Ascensio, Alexander Carnovale, Chris Cunningham, Fernando Mendoza, Oliver Poilevey
We can't wait to raise a glass with everyone who made last year so much fun. Grab your tickets for Gourmet Tailgate!
| | Explore the Dine Around Series! | | | | |
From now until September 18, discover unforgettable dining experiences at 80+ participating locations across Chicagoland, featuring the city’s best chefs, restaurants, and flavors.
Want to sweeten the deal? Guests who spend $50 or more at participating restaurants during the series can enter an epic raffle for the ultimate VIP experience. One lucky winner will score a two-night stay at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, four tickets to Hamburger Hop, four tickets to the Grand Cru Session 2, four chef demo tickets, and an exclusive gourmet swag bag.
Explore the full list of participating restaurants at chicagogourmet.org.
| | Congress Passes Continuing Resolution Delaying Hemp Restrictions | | |
This past Tuesday, Congress passed a Continuing Resolution that temporarily delays the federal ban on THC and hemp products until December 11, 2026. This delay gives Congress additional time to look for a longer-term solution to the issue of hemp products. Currently, products with more than 0.4mg of total THC per container would have been banned at the federal level starting on November 12, 2026.
This newly passed legislation now awaits the president’s signature.
| | Celebrating Chicago’s Culinary Scene - Together | | | | UnitedHealthcare is proud to sponsor the Grand Cru at Chicago Gourmet, a premier culinary event showcasing acclaimed chefs, exceptional wines, and unforgettable experiences. In partnership with the Illinois Restaurant Association, this sponsorship reflects our continued commitment to supporting the hospitality industry and the communities it serves. Together, we’re advancing the health and vitality of restaurant employers and their teams-celebrating innovation, connection, and the future of dining in Chicago. | | Putting AI to Work: Practical Strategies for Hospitality Businesses | | | | |
Join the Illinois Restaurant Association, Be Kind AI Advisors, and the Cook County Small Business Source for a virtual session on how restaurants and hospitality businesses can use general purpose generative AI tools like ChatGPT to unlock quick wins, streamline processes, and grow their business.
Led by Matt Quinn, founder of Be Kind AI Advisors, this session will cover ways to use AI for marketing, operations, communication, planning, and everyday tasks, along with tips for better prompting, finding valuable applications, and using AI responsibly. Attendees will see live demonstrations, practical examples, and guidance on accuracy, privacy, and human review.
Date: Wednesday, September 9
Time: 10:00am
Click here to register for the "Putting AI to Work" virtual business advising session.
| | Know Your Numbers: Your Restaurant’s Financial Health Check | | | | |
Join the Illinois Restaurant Association, EHS Business Solutions, and the Cook County Small Business Source for a virtual session designed to help restaurant owners better understand the numbers behind their business.
Learn which financials to review regularly, what warning signs to watch for, how to build a strong back-office system, and how to keep your records accurate and up to date. Real-life scenarios will bring the concepts to life, and attendees will receive a Financial Health Scorecard to help evaluate their own business.
Date: Tuesday, September 15
Time: 10:00am
Click here to register for the "Know Your Numbers" virtual advising session.
| | Support Student Programs: Donate to the IRAEF Silent Auction | |
The Chicago Gourmet IRAEF online auction is one of the ways we raise critical funds to support 6,000 high school students in 55 Illinois schools. Auction proceeds help provide scholarships, uniforms, classroom supplies, teacher grants, and hands-on opportunities like our statewide Culinary and Management Competition.
We’re still seeking great auction items and experiences, including dining packages, hotel stays, travel, wine and spirits, event tickets, and other unique offerings. Have something to donate? Please click here to submit a silent auction item.
Donations are requested by September 18.
Questions? Email Jessica Blomquist or call 312-380-4147.
| | BEP & VBP Certification Kickstart Workshop | | | | |
The Asian American Chamber of Commerce of Illinois will host a Business Enterprise Program (BEP) & Veterans Business Program (VBP) Certification Kickstart Workshop on Wednesday, September 23 from 11:00am to 1:00pm at Oakton College in Skokie.
Business owners will receive hands-on assistance completing their State of Illinois certification applications, including step-by-step guidance, document uploads, and on-site affidavit notarization. BEP certification is free and can connect eligible businesses with State of Illinois contracting opportunities.
Click here to register for the BEP & VBP Certification Kickstart Workshop.
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The IRA would like to thank all existing members and welcome the following new member:
For more information about the benefits of becoming an IRA member, contact Lisa Gilbert.
| | THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS | | | | |
