Bridge Phase starts May 14th and Pritzker sets fully open Phase 5 goal for June 11:
This allows a wide range of businesses to increase capacity limits to 60%. Go the link below for all the details.
https://coronavirus.illinois.gov/s/bridge-phase
Taverns Face Long Road Back: https://ablusa.org/bars-taverns-face-long-road-back-from-pandemic-damage/
Raise Glasses Not Taxes Campaign: The General Assembly is in session and this campaign spreads the word to all the members of the General Assembly that proposing new taxes on the liquor industry is not acceptable. Below are some of the news media spots that have been featured for the “Raise Glasses Not Taxes” campaign. There have also been letters written to the editors of newspapers across the state. Collateral materials have been distributed to businesses across the state. If you need some collateral materials, posters, stickers or coasters, call Cathy at the ILBA State office 217-523-3232.
03/16/21 FOX 32 Chicago: “Local restaurants, bars still face hurdles one year after onset of the
pandemic” https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/911367
04/04/21 News-Gazette: “Letter to the Editor | Please, not more rules and taxes”
Signer: Eric Meyer, Pia’s Sports Bar/Bentley’s Pub
05/03/21 WAND-TV: “Restaurants pushing back on potential alcohol tax increases”
Update – Liquor License Renewal Date is now: July 31, 2021: FYI – remember if you have not paid your 2020 liquor license fee and you wait until July 31, 2021, you will have to pay your 2020 and 2021 liquor license. The payment of your 2020 and 2021 license is not forgivable, it is only delayed.
Real ID: The Real ID driver’s license requirement to travel via airplanes has been pushed back until May 2023. This Real ID is only required if you don’t have a valid passport.
Lawsuit Update – last court date April 28, 2021- Judge grants additional time to FoxFire lawsuit over COVID-19 restrictions. Geneva-based restaurant FoxFire and Gov. J.B. Pritzker have more time to file documents in the case challenging the governor’s executive orders prohibiting indoor dining. The Sangamon County judge scheduled timelines for further filings and has scheduled a status hearing on June 10.
SBA Restaurant Revitalization Fund (RRF) – The Small Business Administration’s Restaurant Revitalization Fund opened its portal Monday, allowing hard-hit restaurants, bars, food trucks and more to apply for $28.6 billion in grants of up to $10 million per business. If you were unable to attend one of the webinars held earlier this week which covered RRF program details and a demonstration of the application portal, you can watch the recording here.
Visa/Mastercard Delay Swipe Fee Increase for Another Year after Pressure from Trade Groups:
https://ilba.net/news/visa-and-masterc…for-another-year/
Welcome New ILBA Members: Recently the following businesses have joined the ILBA.
Sky Saloon, Willow Hill Fireman’s Hall, Collinsville
Dawg Pound, Bradley Royal 7’s, Springfield
1428 Tap House, Swansea Venue on Main, Belleville
Fusion Business Broker, Chesterfield Cured & Cultured, Belleville
Shorte’s Gaming, Plano Top Shelf Beer, Effingham
Big River Entertainment, Milan, Colona, Princeton & Kewanee
East End Still, Flora The Gas Station, Saint Marie
Witness Distillery, Vandalia Darla Portell – Friend, Granite City
Daniel D. Clausner, Executive Director