THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 1, 2024 | |
Illinois Senate President Don Harmon to Keynote Annual Meeting | |
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The Illinois Restaurant Association’s Officers, Board of Directors, and Advisory Council are the leaders of our non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, protecting, educating and improving the restaurant industry in Illinois.
Join us on Tuesday, February 27 at the Union League Club of Chicago for the IRA's 2024 Annual Meeting & Luncheon. Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. This meeting will feature the installation of the 2024 Officers and Board of Directors.
Our keynote speaker for this year's meeting will be the Honorable Don Harmon, Illinois Senate President, 39th District.
To register for this year's meeting, click here.
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The Illinois Restaurant Association was a proud sponsor of the 2024 Jean Banchet Awards held on Sunday. Congratulations to all the nominees and award recipients from this year’s ceremony hosted at Venue SIX10! We want to thank Michael Muser and Chicago Chefs Cook for putting on an incredible event that honors the talent and skills of the Chicago restaurant and hospitality community.
The 2024 Jean Banchet Winners:
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Rising Chef of the Year: Trevor Fleming, Emily Kraszyk, John Lupton (Warlord)
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Best New Restaurant: Indienne
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Best Hospitality: Bronzeville Winery
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Neighborhood Restaurant of the Year: Pompette
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Sommelier of the Year: Christian Shaum (Bazaar Meat)
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Best Counter Service: Omarcito’s Latin Cafe
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Bar of the Year: Best Intentions
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Heritage Restaurant of the Year: Rubi’s on 18th
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Best Restaurant Design: The Omakase Room
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Pastry Chef of the Year: Tatum Sinclair (S.K.Y., Valhalla, Apolonia)
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Chef of the Year: Paul Virant (Vie, Vistro Prime, Gaijin)
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Restaurant of the Year: Galit
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Submit Comments on Chicago's Paid Leave Rules by February 16th! | |
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The City has released proposed rules for the Chicago Paid Leave and Paid Sick and Safe Leave ordinance. The Office of Labor Standards will accept public comments on the proposed rules until February 16, 2024. If you would like to submit a question or comment on these rules, you may do so via the following methods:
In writing: Office of Labor Standards, 2350 W. Ogden Ave, 1st Fl, Chicago, IL 60608
Via e-mail: BACPLaborStandards@cityofchicago.org
The City has also released proposed updates to the Chicago Minimum Wage and Wage Theft Rules. Public comments may be submitted on these rules via the same methods by February 16, 2024.
Click here to learn more.
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US House advances Joint Employer CRA | |
In a bipartisan vote, the US House passed H.J. Res. 98, advancing the legislative effort to overturn the National Labor Relations Board’s (NLRB) final Joint Employer rule. A similar resolution, also introduced under the Congressional Review Act (CRA) and sponsored by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Joe Manchin (D-WV), will likely be considered in the Senate in Q1. If passed by both the House and Senate, the CRA resolution would go to President Biden to be signed into law or vetoed. Franchisees and industry operators can show their support for the Senate CRA by adding their voice here. | |
Key Tax Legislation Passes U.S. House, Moves on to U.S. Senate | |
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Last night, the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelmingly passed bipartisan tax legislation that will help restaurants afford new investments, renovations, and equipment purchases. The Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act (H.R. 7024) was approved by a wide margin (357-70) that demonstrated robust support in both political parties. The restaurant industry strongly supports provisions to lift the limit on business interest expenses (2022-2025) and expand 100% bonus depreciation (2023-2025).
The National Restaurant Association and Illinois Restaurant Association thank all our members for their relentless advocacy and look forward to working on Senate passage. To help pass this legislation pass in the Senate, we need restaurant owners and operators to add their voice and push this over the line.
Click here to add your name!
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Key FTC Deadline Looms, Restaurants Face Potential Fee Elimination | |
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Operators have until Wednesday, February 7th to have their say on a proposed federal rule which would force restaurants to stop using surcharges, including those for meal delivery, credit card transactions, automatic server gratuity, large party service fees, and other common surcharges. Last year, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) proposed a sweeping rule to include all charges in a “total price” for customers. The National Restaurant Association successfully petitioned the FTC to delay the comment period as we provide more education for members.
Click here to add your name to our petition.
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This summer, the City of Chicago welcomes the Democratic National Convention from August 19th-22nd. There are many opportunities for individuals and businesses to volunteer or be a vendor for the Convention.
If you are interested in contracting with the Host Committee, DNCC, or with ancillary events surrounding the week of the Convention, please complete the following Vendor Interest Form. If you are an Event Venue/Restaurant Operator interested in hosting 2024 DNC and affiliated events, please also complete the Venue Portal Form when prompted at the end of this process.
Click here for the Volunteer Interest Form.
Click here for the Vendor Interest Form.
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Register for Laner Muchin's Hospitality Law Conference | |
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IRA member law firm Laner Muchin is having a Hospitality Law Conference on February 21st at their offices at 515 N. State St., Chicago. Presentations will take place from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., with a cheese and wine cocktail reception to follow. Laner Muchin attorneys Rob Bernstein, Antonio Caldarone and Amber Cox will discuss important hospitality law updates and explore best practices for employers for the upcoming year.
Click here to register.
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The HMSHost & Hudson O'Hare Business Outreach | |
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Meet the decision makers seeking restaurateurs with popular local chicago brands, joint venture partners, general contractors, architects, suppliers of retail and food items including snacks and beverages on February 21st at Workbox River North, 206 W. Erie., Chicago.
Click here to register.
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The Global Youth Ambassadors Virtual Leadership Summit | |
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Applications for this year’s Global Youth Ambassadors Virtual Leadership Summit are officially open, and will be accepting applications until March 3rd. A joint program of Chicago Sister Cities International (CSCI) and the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC), the Global Youth Ambassadors Virtual Leadership Summit is an intensive leadership program designed to build the next generation of global leaders. It is open to teenage girls, ages 14-16, from Chicago and its 28 international sister cities.
More information can be found Here.
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Have a True Taste of Japan | |
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Restaurants and retail stores that use authentic Japanese ingredients, beverages or food are certified “Japanese Food Supporters” by the JETRO (Japan External Trade Organization) Chicago office. This makes it easy to find genuine ingredients produced in Japan prepared in unique and thrilling ways. JETRO recently brought some of these “Japanese Food Supporters” to booths at two Chicago culinary events, Grand Cru and First Bites Bash.
Click here to read Time Out's list of nine Japanese restaurants in Chicago that offer a true taste of Japan.
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Save the Date! 7th Annual Hospitality Hires Chicago (HHC) Event is April 16th! | | |
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The Illinois Restaurant Association is proud to once again be a host of the 7th annual Hospitality Hires Chicago (HHC) event on Tuesday, April 16th from 9:00am to 4:00pm. HHC events have helped over 1,000 people find a job or secure conditional job offers and is providing more than 200 employers with access to more than a thousand pre-screened, work-ready candidates. Employers from retail, transportation, food services, hospitality, and related sectors are committing to hire hundreds of our residents.
To register as an employer, or if you have any questions, please contact The Partnership’s Business Relations Specialist Marion A. Batey.
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Unlock Exclusive Education! | |
Prostart Student Culinary & Management Competition | | |
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Save The Date and join us: Illinois Prostart Student Culinary & Management Competition, Sat. March 2, 2024 at Sysco Chicago; 250 Wieboldt Drive; Des Plaines, IL, 60016-3192. For more info or to volunteer, please contact Jessica Blomquist or click here. | | |
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Get top-notch tips for making the most of your return this tax season. Join the Illinois Restaurant Association, in partnership with the Cook County Small Business Source and tax experts from accounting firm Plante Moran, for a webinar offering ideas and guidance when preparing your restaurant's taxes and making the most of the credits available.
**Este seminario web se transmitirá en inglés y español.**
**此网络研讨会有中英双语放送选项**
Date: Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Time: 10:00AM CT
Register here.
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Small Businesses on Far North Side Can Apply for $10,000 Grant | |
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Businesses on the Chicago's Far North Side can apply for grants to support their small businesses, the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced. $2.5 million are available to provide one-time, $10,000 grants to small businesses facing financial hardships.
Businesses with 25 or fewer employees located in the 7th State Senate District— which encompasses Edgewater, Rogers Park, Andersonville, Ravenswood, Lincoln Square and parts of other Far North Side neighborhoods — are eligible for the grants. Check this map to see if your business is within the district.
Small business owners must apply online by 5 p.m. February 16th. The grant recipients will be announced in April, and the funding will be dispersed in May and June.
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The IRA would like to thank existing members and welcome the following new members: Reggio's Pizza, Paradies Lagardere
For more information about the benefits of becoming an IRA member, contact Christine DeSousa.
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THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS | | | | |
