Illinois Restaurant Association

Illinois Restaurant Association The Illinois Restaurant Association protects, promotes, educates and improves the restaurant industry in Illinois. "Invest in Your People. Protect Your Business.

Advance the Industry."

Gather your troop! 🏕️⛳️Tickets are officially on sale for the IRA Golf Classic: Summer Camp Swing, presented by Tequila ...
06/03/2026

Gather your troop! 🏕️⛳️

Tickets are officially on sale for the IRA Golf Classic: Summer Camp Swing, presented by Tequila 1800 and DoorDash.

đź“Ť Wednesday, August 5
🏌️‍♂️ St. Andrews Golf & Country Club

Secure your foursome spot today! Don't miss out on hitting the links with Illinois’ top food and beverage leaders for a full day of fairway fun, fantastic food, refreshing drinks, and unbeatable industry networking.

🎟 Grab your tickets and register your team here: https://www.illinoisrestaurants.org/page/2026Golfclassic

đź“© Questions? Contact Lisette at [email protected].

The restaurant industry can be hectic. There are proven insights, tools, and trainings that can increase your restaurant...
06/02/2026

The restaurant industry can be hectic. There are proven insights, tools, and trainings that can increase your restaurant's odds of being a profitable business, and RestaurantOwner.com is here to help.

Save on a RestaurantOwner.com membership now with a special offer at https://www.restaurantowner.com/public/IL-SRA-Join-RestaurantOwnercom.cfm?fbclid=IwY2xjawSCrQBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFRQkFvdTgxSWwwUUt2dWNkc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHk_zLyTRCuHvrdJrSLP2VVZ7NmkjW1zg1k8GIzkerHaJudkJs3cghkXI4aGG_aem_QYSY4BMrnLQDRijHkVYgZQ

We are proud to see the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board recognize the recent City Council compromise on the tipped wage ...
06/01/2026

We are proud to see the Chicago Tribune Editorial Board recognize the recent City Council compromise on the tipped wage as a major victory for our industry, our servers, and our local economy.

As the editorial points out, protecting the current system preserves the high earning potential of our incredible servers and prevents low-margin neighborhood eateries from being forced to cut hours or close their doors. Thank you to the City Council members who listened to the voices of hospitality workers and small business owners.

Read more via Chicago Tribune.

Chicago’s neighborhood restaurants are the cornerstone of our city, providing essential jobs and creating the vibrant sp...
05/30/2026

Chicago’s neighborhood restaurants are the cornerstone of our city, providing essential jobs and creating the vibrant spaces where our communities connect every single day.

City Council compromise to delay the phaseout of the tipped wage credit is a crucial victory that acknowledges the very real economic pressures our operators are facing right now. By extending the phaseout timeline by two years, and providing an even longer runway for small businesses with fewer than 21 employees, the city is giving our industry the breathing room it desperately needs to adapt to high inflation and rising operating costs.

As Illinois Restaurant Association President Sam Toia emphasized, while we will always oppose the total elimination of the tipped credit, this hard-fought agreement “provides a critical lifeline for restaurants during these challenging economic times.”

We appreciate the aldermen and city leaders who listened to the concerns of restaurant owners and workers, recognized the need for a pause, and took action to protect the future of Chicago’s world-class hospitality industry.

Read more on this vital update via Crain’s Chicago Business.

What a 10th anniversary year for Smyth ! 🎉Already Chicago’s only three-Michelin-starred restaurant, they have officially...
05/29/2026

What a 10th anniversary year for Smyth ! 🎉

Already Chicago’s only three-Michelin-starred restaurant, they have officially been named the No. 1 Restaurant in North America by the World’s 50 Best organization!

Congratulations to Chefs Karen Urie Shields, John Shields, and the entire team for bringing this massive honor home to the West Loop. Your dedication to your craft, your purveyors, and your guests makes the Illinois hospitality community so incredibly proud.

Join the Illinois Restaurant Association, Southland Development Authority, Be Kind AI Advisors, and the Cook County Smal...
05/28/2026

Join the Illinois Restaurant Association, Southland Development Authority, Be Kind AI Advisors, and the Cook County Small Business Source for an in-person AI training workshop.

Running a hospitality business means balancing guests, staff, costs, marketing, operations, and constant change. This practical workshop will cover how generative AI (GenAI) tools like ChatGPT can help busy operators work smarter, improve everyday ex*****on, and create better experiences for the people they serve.

Led by Matt Quinn, Founder of Be Kind AI Advisors, this 90-minute in-person session will include plain-English guidance, live demos, and hands-on exercises to unlock quick AI wins.

Attendees will learn how GenAI tools can help them save time, improve marketing, strengthen team communication, and support progress toward their business goals. To engage in the interactive session, attendees should bring a smartphone or laptop. No prior experience required.

Link: https://www.illinoisrestaurants.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=2061469&group=

Join the Illinois Restaurant Association, Cook County Commissioner Maggie Trevor, and SomerCor for a hospitality industr...
05/27/2026

Join the Illinois Restaurant Association, Cook County Commissioner Maggie Trevor, and SomerCor for a hospitality industry roundtable event. Learn about pathways to accessing capital for your business, industry updates, and more.

Date: Thursday, May 28, 2026

Time: 10:00-11:30AM

Location: Hey Nonny, 10 S. Vail Ave, Arlington Heights, IL 60005

Link: https://www.illinoisrestaurants.org/events/eventdetails.aspx?id=2058977

Invest in your people. Protect your business. Advance the industry. This isn't just a motto - it's our mission. At the I...
05/27/2026

Invest in your people. Protect your business. Advance the industry.

This isn't just a motto - it's our mission. At the Illinois Restaurant Association, we stand on the front lines every day, advocating for the policies that keep our state's vibrant hospitality scene thriving and fighting to protect your livelihood.

When you join the IRA, you're not just gaining access to exclusive resources and networking; you are gaining a powerful, unified voice at the local, state, and national levels. Don't stand alone. Add your voice to ours and help us shape the future of Illinois restaurants.

Stand with us. Become a member today.

Learn more: https://www.illinoisrestaurants.org/page/BenefitsServices

Running a restaurant is rarely easy, but you never have to do it alone. When you join the Illinois Restaurant Associatio...
05/27/2026

Running a restaurant is rarely easy, but you never have to do it alone.

When you join the Illinois Restaurant Association, you are tapping into a statewide network dedicated to your success. Our members gain instant access to exclusive operational resources, expert guidance on navigating complex regulations, and a seat at the table where the future of our industry is shaped.

Be part of the collective voice of Illinois hospitality. Together, we can overcome challenges, protect our businesses, and celebrate our industry's incredible resilience.

Ready to elevate your business with the support of industry experts? Join our community today.

Learn more: https://www.illinoisrestaurants.org/page/BenefitsServices

The Illinois restaurant scene is built on passion, grit, and community. The Illinois Restaurant Association brings toget...
05/27/2026

The Illinois restaurant scene is built on passion, grit, and community. The Illinois Restaurant Association brings together the brightest minds and hardest workers in hospitality. We are here to connect you with industry leaders, essential business resources, and a support system that understands exactly what it takes to run a successful restaurant in our state.

When you join the IRA, you aren't just signing up for a membership - you're pulling up a chair to the most powerful table in the Illinois hospitality industry. Whether you are looking to build strategic partnerships, stay ahead of industry trends, or find solutions to your daily operational challenges, we are here for you.

Take your place at the table. Let’s grow, connect, and succeed together.

Ready to elevate your business? Become an IRA Member Today

Learn more: https://www.illinoisrestaurants.org/page/BenefitsServices

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33 W. Monroe, Suite 250
Chicago, IL
60603

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+13127874000

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