Illinois Announces $175 Million in Back to Business Grants for Restaurants, Hotels, and Creative Arts Industry

March 23, 2023   SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – This week, Governor JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity announced $175 million in Back to Business Grants available for sectors hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically, restaurants, hotels, and creative arts organizations. Applications are open for eligible businesses from April 5, 2023 –…

WSWA Celebrates the Life of Industry Leader Ed Callison Jr.

Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America announces Ed Callison Jr. as the 2023 Lifetime Leadership Award (Posthumous) Source: WSWA February 23, 2023 Wine & Spirits Wholesalers of America (WSWA) today announced that Ed Callison, Jr. will posthumously receive the 2023 Lifetime Leadership Award at Access LIVE in April. The WSWA Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes industry…

How Restaurant Workers Help Pay for Lobbying to Keep Their Wages Low

The National Restaurant Association uses mandatory $15 food-safety classes to turn waiters and cooks into unwitting funders of its battle against minimum wage increases. By David A. Fahrenthold and Talmon Joseph Smith Jan. 17, 2023  Updated 3:48 p.m. ET WASHINGTON — For many cooks, waiters and bartenders, it is an annoying entrance fee to the food-service business: Before starting…

INFORMATIONAL UPDATE JANUARY 12, 2023

The Illinois Licensed Beverage Association (ILBA) continues to fight for our industry. I) The 102nd General Assembly concluded the “Lame Duck” session. Below find laws and changes effective January 1, 2023. The ILBA was vehemently opposed to all of the below 2023 changes. A) SB208 – Paid Leave for All Workers Act: 1)All employers will…