IRAEF Employee Relief Fund

FRIDAY, AUGUST 14

The IRA is thrilled to announce the establishment of the IRAEF Employee Relief Fund. The Fund will provide one-time financial support to restaurant employees in Illinois facing unforeseen hardship due to COVID-19 - and applications will open in October. Click here to read the full announcement.

The IRAEF Employee Relief Fund is possible thanks to the generosity of founding donors at Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits, Telemundo, Associated Beer Distributors of Illinois (ABDI) and EMPLOYERS.

We're excited to be highlighting and the supporting the fund throughout Chicago Gourmet’s “Go Gourmet” Dining and Virtual Event Series taking place September 1-30, 2020.

Here's how you can help our efforts today:

Please post about the announcement on your social media channels.
You can use our e-tool kit to spread the word.
Engage your networks
Please reach out and connect us to anyone that may be interested in getting involved with the Fund.
Make a donation
You can contribute to the fund here.
Any company or individual who makes a donation over $5,000 will receive recognition on the Employee Relief Fund webpage.

Stay tuned for more information about the Fund in coming weeks. For more information, please contact IRAEF Executive Director Kristen Hodges.

Mayor Announces New Strategies to Protect Chicago's Neighborhoods

The IRA and other business leaders from across the city have been advocating for increased protection to our commercial corridors and neighborhood businesses. Today, Mayor Lori Lightfoot and CPD Supt. David Brown outlined a new plan for protection amid the violence earlier this week. The new protection plan includes:

Stronger community partnerships
Rapid response deployments
Enhanced use of technology, including social media surveillance
Robust legal actions
Integrated approach to geographic lockdowns

Additionally, 1,000 extra police officers will be deployed throughout the city to deter looting and criminal activity this weekend.

Click here to see the full press release.

A demonstration is scheduled to take place in Chicago this weekend aimed to shut down the Dan Ryan Expressway. More information about can be found here.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer to Co-Sponsor RESTAURANTS Act

The National Restaurant Association announced today that Sen. Chuck Schumer will co-sponsor the Senate version of the RESTAURANTS Act of 2020.

"As one of the hardest hit industries during this pandemic, we must do everything we can to ensure our restaurants and our restaurant workers are protected, otherwise we will shortchange our entire economy,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY). “I am proud to stand with the National Restaurant Association and support the RESTAURANTS Act to give restaurants the relief they need to weather this crisis so they can eventually fully reopen and bring back to work millions of workers who have lost their jobs."

The RESTAURANTS Act follows the reform proposed in the Blueprint for Restaurant Revival which would provide restaurants with immediate access to capital.

Click here to read the full Senate RESTAURANTS Act.

Other reforms being sought at the national level include fixes to PPP for restaurants. Under current proposals, restaurant operators who had Payroll Protection Program (PPP) loans forgiven may lose some key tax deductions, creating a surprise tax liability. Additionally, the majority of restaurants might not be eligible for a new round of PPP funding. These two critical issues are why you need to take action now.

Click here to send a message to Illinois Congressional leaders to urge them to protect restaurants.

Chicago Central Business District Restricted Access Continues from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. through Monday

To receive emergency alerts for updates on street closures and public transportation, subscribe to Chicago’s text or email alert system at NotifyChicago.org or follow the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) on Facebook and Twitter @ChicagoOEMC.

JCAR Passes Rule to Enforce Public Health Guidelines and Issue Warnings and Fines on Businesses

Earlier this week, the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) voted to approve Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) emergency rules proposed by Governor J.B. Pritzker that impose a new penalty on businesses that do not comply with mask requirements or public health guidelines. The rules will be enforced by local and state authorities, including local police, health departments, and liquor commissions. Click here to read the rule.

There is a three step process under the IDPH rules:

Written warnings will be issued to businesses and encouraged to comply with public health guidelines.
Businesses that do not comply will be ordered to have some or all of their patrons leave the premises to come into compliance.
Businesses that do not comply could be cited with a Class A misdemeanor and subject to a daily fine of $75 to $2,500.

The IRA urges all individuals and businesses to comply with all local and state public health guidelines. We encourage all restaurants and bars to download and post the Illinois Restaurant Promise in English and Spanish at their establishments.

Please visit our website for the latest COVID-19 updates, in addition to the above resources and information for your business. Updated as of 2:00 p.m. on Friday, August 14.

THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS