WELCOME TO THE ILLINOIS RESTAURANT ASSOCIATION Founded in 1914, the Illinois Restaurant Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, protecting, educating and improving the restaurant industry in Illinois.     IRA EVENTS & NEWS   ANNUAL MEETING The Illinois Restaurant Association held its Annual Meeting & Installation of Officers Dinner on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at Sikia.  Congratulations to 2010 IRA Chairman Everett Rand of Midway Wholesalers, Inc.  Thank you everyone who attended the event.      BUYERS' GUIDE AND MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY We are now reserving advertising spaces in the Illinois Restaurant Association 2010-2011 Buyers' Guide and Membership Directory. The annual directory is a key communication tool for networking, membership information and qualified product and service provider listings.  For more information on advertising opportunities, CLICK HERE or contact Lana Taylor, Publication Director with IRA partner Naylor, at 204-975-3603 or ltaylor@naylor.com.   FESTIVAL FOOD VENDOR APPLICATION The 2010 Chicago Blues Festival and Chicago Jazz Festival are looking for food vendors that will represent and enhance the festival experience.  The Chicago Blues Festival (Grant Park) will be June 11-13 and the Chicago Jazz Festival (Grant Park) will be September 4-5.   Click here to download the Food Vendor Application    CITY OF CHICAGO DEPARTMENT OF BUILDINGS On January 12, 2010 the Illinois Restaurant Association hosted City of Chicago Department of Buildings Commissioner Rich Monocchio who briefed our members on recent changes to the city’s building code. Click here to download his presentation and contact information.      CHICAGO GOURMET The second annual Chicago Gourmet, a weekend festival celebrating Chicago’s impressive food and wine community in Millennium Park, was held September 26-27, 2009.  Chicago Gourmet 2010 will be held September 25-26 in Millennium Park.  Visit www.chicagogourmet.org for more information.    INDUSTRY NEWS MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE EFFECTIVE 7/1/09 The minumum wage in Illinois increased to $8.00/hour on July 1, 2009. The minimum wage will increase to $8.25 on July 1, 2010.  Click here for information on how to calculate a tip credit and overtime wage.  COOK COUNTY SALES TAX INCREASE EFFECTIVE 7/1/2008  The Cook County sales tax increased from .75% to 1.75% on July 1, 2008.  Click here to view a detailed summary of the current sales tax in Cook County and Chicago.             Illinois Restaurant Industry Facts  Locations …………...31,780 Employees …………513,100* Sales……………….$18.8 Billion Projected 2009 Economic Impact of Eating & Drinking Places: $44.7 billion  *eating and drinking places only Are you looking to open a restaurant in Chicago? Are you a current restaurant owner with questions about permits or fees? Click here to access information about permits, fees, licenses, taxes and inspections in the City  of Chicago.   CHICAGO AND COOK COUNTY TAXES AS OF 7/1/08 State Sales Tax 6.25% Chicago Sales Tax 1.25% Cook County Sales Tax 1.75% RTA Tax 1.00% Pier Tax 1.00% TOTAL SALES TAX 11.25% Plus   Restaurant Tax .25% TOTAL TAX 11.50% Notes: §         The MPEA Pier Tax (1.00%) only applies to downtown Chicago restaurants §         The Restaurant Tax only applies to Chicago restaurants §         The RTA Tax affects both Cook County and the collar counties (DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and  Will).  In the collar counties the RTA Tax is .75%.

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