Illinois Restaurant Association

Join us this Thursday, July 11 at 10 AM for our webinar, "10 Key Lease Points Every Restaurateur Needs to Know." Learn from Cook County Small Business Source and Fox Swibel Levin & Carroll about how to navigate the complexities of restaurant leasing. To learn more and register, head to https://lnkd.in/gjGiB_tH. Cook County Government

Don’t miss out! Join us tomorrow, July 9 at 1 PM at Flo & Santos for a roundtable discussion with Senator Mattie Hunter and State Rep. Kimberly du Buclet. Explore industry insights and resources! Register now at https://lnkd.in/grZETwcA. 🎉

Chicago’s restaurant scene is known worldwide. To keep it thriving, city must bring down burglaries. (via Chicago Sun-Times) “Chicago is famous for its food. Its restaurants represent myriad cultures, from Ecuadorian to Indian. Not many cities can compete with Chicago when it comes restaurant fare. But a disturbing trend threatens our lively food scene. Burglaries of restaurants are hitting record numbers, as reported by the Sun-Times recently. Reporters Ambar Colón, Mohammad Samra and Tom Schuba found that 635 burglaries were reported at restaurants last year, the most since at least 2001. Worse yet, Chicago is on track to surpass that number this year. Generally, thieves are looking for cash and liquor, the reporters noted. Apparently, there is a prolific black market for booze. What can be done? For starters, alderpersons should consider tapping funds from their aldermanic menu programs to install concrete barriers where feasible in front of restaurants and stores susceptible to smash-and-grabs — when criminals ram vehicles through glass windows to steal. It’s a worthy investment. These places are, after all, economic lifelines for neighborhoods.“ To read more, visit: https://lnkd.in/gEEziJhf.

🏌️♂️🌺 Calling all golfers! Don't miss our "Luau on the Link" Golf Classic at St. Andrews Golf & County Club on Wednesday, August 7. Tickets are sold out, but sponsorships that include a foursome are still available! Secure your spot at https://lnkd.in/dbBnYWYH and contact us at ggrouzard@illinoisrestaurants.org for auction donations. ⛳️

Wishing you a happy and safe Independence Day! May your day be filled with family, friends and great food. 🎉🇺🇸 🍔

Scott Weiner, Co-Owner of The Fifty/50 Group, shares his thoughts on the elimination of the tip credit for Chicago restaurants in this Chicago Tribune op-ed: “This week marks the first phase of the elimination of the tip credit. With the holiday, the timing is ironic. At a moment when we celebrate the nation’s independence, the restaurant industry in Illinois fears for its survival.  As of Monday, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, breweries and other food service businesses in Chicago face one of the most inhospitable business climates in the country. We urged lawmakers to see that the elimination of the tip credit would result in thousands of workers losing their jobs. During discussions with Chicago legislators regarding the elimination of the tip credit, it became clear that many passionate supporters, while well-versed in political rhetoric, lacked a comprehensive understanding of the existing tip credit law and its practical implications. We cautioned about the new costs to consumers — because increasing input costs like this means menu prices have to go up. Those increases are already starting to happen as owners have been planning how to rebalance an 8% wage increase on a 3%-5% margin. It’s a struggle to keep up with the pressures of just trying to stay afloat.” To read the entire article, head to https://lnkd.in/gQXGSJCs.

On Thursday, July 11 at 10 AM, learn how to navigate the complexities of restaurant leasing at our upcoming webinar, “10 Key Lease Points Every Restaurateur Needs to Know." Whether you're opening your first eatery or expanding, don't miss this opportunity to arm yourself with essential knowledge. The webinar will feature Cook County Small Business Source and Fox Swibel Levin & Carroll. To learn more and register, head to: https://lnkd.in/gjGiB_tH. **Este seminario web se transmitirá en inglés y español.** **此网络研讨会有中英双语放送选项**

📢 Chicago Tip Credit Decreases starts today, July 1 Today, Chicago’s tipped wage enters its first phase of elimination, with the new tipped wage set at $11.02 per hour and $10.20 per hour for youth workers. The tip credit rate will decrease from 40% to 32%, continuing to drop by 8% each year until it is completely eliminated in 2028. Sam Toia highlighted the impact of this change in the Daily Journal, stating, “The practical impact of this legislation is dire for many Illinois operators. If this legislation becomes law, here is what we can expect: layoffs for servers, bartenders, bussers and runners, fewer hours for servers, and higher costs for the consumer.” To stay informed about these important changes and their implications for the hospitality industry, head to https://lnkd.in/g7jdBYp9.

Mark your calendar! 🗓 On Tuesday, July 9 at 1 PM, join us at Flo and Santos for an enriching roundtable discussion with Senator Mattie Hunter, State Rep. Kimberly Du Buclet and more. Let's explore industry insights and resources together! To learn more and register for this free event, head to https://lnkd.in/grZETwcA.

It's official! 🎉 We're pleased to welcome Hawksmoor to Chicago! Congratulations to Huw Gott and Will Beckett for bringing this London legend, named the number one steakhouse in the world, to 500 N. LaSalle Dr. Let's hear directly from Mary Kay Bonoma, Chief Operating Officer of Illinois Restaurant Association, on why you should check out this new restaurant: "The Hawksmoor team has designed a dynamic, classy and comfortable space that celebrates Chicago’s rich history of beef, design and architecture. But it’s so much more than just a beautiful place to meet friends. The knowledgeable staff will make you feel welcome and guide you through the extensive menu. Guests can choose from perfectly charcoal grilled steaks, sustainably sourced seafood and so much more. And don’t miss out on the creative desserts that will satisfy the most sophisticated sweet tooth. The Atomic Sundae (named for the classic, multi-layered birthday cake) and Peanut Butter Louis are sure to become Chicago favorites. Adding to the overall experience is an impressive cocktail program that balances flavors, techniques and presentation. This London import is a wonderful addition to Chicago’s dynamic dining scene—welcome!"