THURSDAY, MARCH 21, 2024

Tip Credit Bill Amendment Introduced

This week, an amendment was filed to HB 5345, the bill that would eliminate the tip credit state-wide in Illinois. Our attorneys are analyzing the impact of the amendment, but it contains language that would eliminate the tip credit and youth wage, restrict service charges and lead to frivolous lawsuits for operators.

The Illinois House Labor & Commerce Committee is expected to meet the first week of April to consider this legislation. House Bill 5345 is bad for our industry, employees, and customers and we are 100% opposed to it.

• Click here to contact members of the committee and tell them to VOTE NO on House Bill 5345.
• Click here to find your state legislators and voice your opposition to House Bill 5345.
• Click here to fill out a committee witness slip opposing House Bill 5345. Key information to include on the witness slip:
• Name, Address, Firm, Title, Email & Phone: Type your information
• Representation: Use your organization or just type “self”
• Position: Opponent
• Testimony: Record of Appearance Only (unless you are submitting written or oral testimony)

Click here and sign up to join our fight! Please pass this link around to your restaurant industry friends and employees to sign up as well.

Survey: IL Restaurant Employees Oppose Eliminating Tip Credit

A recent survey of tipped restaurant employees in Illinois found that a strong majority agree that the current tipping system works well for them and should not be changed. The survey of 281 Illinois servers, bartenders and other tipped staff was conducted in February 2024 after state lawmakers introduced legislation to eliminate the tip credit.

Click here to read the survey’s press release and click here to read the full survey.

Roundtables

The IRA is hosting roundtables around the state to bring restaurant operators and employees together to organize against this legislation. Please join us and share the invitation with industry peers and workers. Our confirmed events include:

St. Charles, March 27, 2:00pm

Alter Brewing + Kitchen, 12 S. 1^st St., St. Charles, IL 60174

Cicero, April 3, 2:00pm

Taqueria Casa Grande, 5910 W. Cermak Rd, Cicero, IL 60804

McHenry County, April 11, Time 2:00pm

1776 Restaurant, 397 W. Virginia St., Crystal Lake, IL 60014

Please email Christine DeSousa at cdesousa@illinoisrestaurants.org to RSVP.

BIPA Legislation Advances in Springfield

The Illinois Senate Judiciary Committee passed a bill sponsored by State Sen. Bill Cunningham which makes changes to the liability guidelines in the Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA). Under BIPA, private entities must obtain written consent before collecting and storing biometric information, such as an employee’s fingerprint. If a business is sued for violating BIPA, they can be ordered to pay damages for each instance where biometric information is collected — even if they repeatedly collect the same information. Cunningham’s bill would limit the number of claims accrued under that scenario should an employee bring a lawsuit against a company for a violation of BIPA. The liability faced by the business would accrue on a per-employee basis, rather than a per-collection basis.

Click here to read the bill.

Illinois House and Senate Committees Pass Fee Disclosure Bill

Last week, committees in the the Illinois House and Senate passed bills that would make it unlawful to: (1) offer, display, or advertise an amount a consumer may pay for merchandise without clearly and conspicuously disclosing the total price; (2) fail, in any offer, display, or advertisement that contains an amount a consumer may pay, to display the total price more prominently than any other pricing information; (3) misrepresent the nature and purpose of any amount a consumer may pay, including the ability to refund the fees and the identity of any merchandise for which fees are charged; or (4) fail to disclose clearly and conspicuously before the consumer consents to pay, the nature and purpose of any amount a consumer may pay that is excluded from the total price, including the ability to refund the fees and the identity of any merchandise for which fees are charged. The IRA strongly opposes this legislation. Please stay tuned for updates.



Click here to read the House bill.

Click here to read the Senate bill.

Court Reinstates 2020 Joint Employer Rule

The Federal Court in the Eastern District of Texas issued a judgment rescinding the 2023 Joint Employer Rule and reinstating the 2020 Joint Employer Rule. The decision also denied the defendants’ motion to transfer the case to the D.C. Circuit Court. This decision means the Joint Employer Standard reverts to the NLRB’s 2020 Final Rule, which codified a long-established “direct and immediate” joint employer standard and provided clear and stable guidance for foodservice employers and employees. However, this decision is expected to be appealed, meaning Senate action is still needed to block this rule and provide lasting certainty to operators. Specifically, the Senate must pass an Association-backed measure to block the 2023 Joint Employer Rule through the Congressional Review Act, which overwhelmingly passed the House in January. 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

Earlier this year, 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). 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. 

Chef's Table 2024

Join us at this year's 45th Annual Chef's Table event presented by Sysco and 8 Hospitality. The event will take place at Theater on the Lake on Thursday, April 18, with more than 20 tasting stations from restaurants throughout Chicago. Light up the night at this year's Neon Jungle themed event to celebrate and honor the foodservice industry while raising funds that benefit the IRA Educational Foundation.

Tickets

Click here to purchase your tickets today!

Sponsorship

Click here to view the 2024 Sponsorship Packet.

Donations

For information about donating to the Silent Auction, please contact Grace Grouzard.

Public Affairs Conference 2024

On April 15 - 17, the IRA will join other restaurant associations for a Public Affairs Conference in D.C.

Information and registration details can be found here. Agenda can be found here. 

Conference programming occurs at The Westin DC Downtown (999 9th St NW, Washington, D.C.). Attendees who wish to stay onsite at The Westin and receive the conference rate should book as soon as possible, as the conference block will sell out. The deadline to reserve your room is March 22, 2024. Click here to reserve in the room block.

Register Now for Hospitality Hires Chicago (HHC) on April 16th!

Alongside Choose Chicago, Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association, Magnificent Mile Association and others, the IRA is proud to be hosting the spring 2024 Hospitality Hires Chicago on Tuesday, April 16th at the Palmer House Hilton. A collaboration with the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership, Hospitality Hires Chicago is an event for employers and pre-screened job seekers to meet and interview.

The venue has a strict limit of 65 tables for the event. It is imperative to register for a table as soon as possible to ensure your participation.

Click here to register.

Planning an upcoming food fair, trade show, or event in the next 12 months?

Enhance your event with enthusiastic and well-trained ProStart High School students who can assist with food preparation, service, or interactive booth demonstrations as volunteers and paid summer staff. Our ProStart students have impressed attendees and chefs at previous events with their culinary skills and professionalism.

Invest in the future: By providing students with real-world experience, you're helping to shape the next generation of culinary and hospitality professionals. Students gain valuable industry exposure, learn from experienced chefs, and develop their skills in a professional setting. 

Please contact Jessica Blomquist, jblomquist@illinoisrestaurant.org for more information.

Gear Up For The Show

Is the new month adding a spring to your step? Then it’s the perfect time to solidify some spring plans, starting with your trip to the National Restaurant Show in May! As the premier annual event in foodservice, attending the Show is critical for your business. Don’t miss your chance to dig into the latest trends, insights and opportunities at your industry’s biggest display of foodservice innovation—register now! You won’t regret it.

Click below to register and claim your 2024 Show Expo badge for a special Advanced Rate of only $115.

Attend the Show in May!

Empower Your Small Business with an Advantage Illinois Loan

Discover a pathway to empowerment with an Advantage Illinois loan. This inclusive and accessible loan program provides a stepping stone for those seeking financing, flexible eligibility requirements and low interest rates for low to moderate income individuals.

Click here to learn more.

Welcome Alison DeGuide, Communications & Government Relations Manager!

Alison DeGuide is the new Communications & Government Relations Manager at the IRA. Originally from Rockford, Illinois, she received both her master’s in public diplomacy and her bachelor’s in political economy from the University of Southern California. She has worked on communications teams for non-profits and businesses alike and was previously the editor in chief of an internationally distributed magazine. Alison now lives in Chicago’s West Town neighborhood with her dachshund Crowley.

IRA New Member Spotlight

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