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 CHICAGO GOURMET 2010 One of the nation's most anticipated culinary events, Chicago Gourmet 2010 will be hosted in Millennium Park, September 25-26, 2010.  This epicurean extravaganza will showcase over 100 of Chicago's finest restaurants and hundreds of renowned vintners, spirit makers and premium breweries from around the world. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit: www.chicagogourmet.org.  ANNUAL GOLF CLASSIC Don't miss your opportunity to participate in this year's annual Golf Classic! One of the IRA's most popular events, the Golf Classic will take place on Wednesday, August 4 at St. Andrews Golf and Country Club in West Chicago. A shotgun start begins at 10:45 a.m. Tickets cost $250 per player or $975 per foursome and includes golf, lunch, giveaways, silent auction, team prizes, raffle and prizes, a mini "Taste of Chicago" reception, open bar and networking. Sponsorship opportunities are available and silent auction donations are still being accepted. Click here for more information and to download Golf Classic Sponsorship and/or Auction Donation forms. For more information, please contact Jean Sheerin at: 312-380-4116. Register for the 2010 Golf Classic Click here.   FESTIVAL FOOD VENDOR APPLICATIONS The City of Chicago is known for its beautiful lakefront and free outdoor summer Music Festivals. The following festivals will be held at Millennium Park and are looking for food vendors that will represent and enhance the festival experience. Viva! Chicago Latin Music Festival will take place September 17 & 18 and Chicago Country Music Festival, October 8 & 9. If you have any questions, please call Jean Sheerin at 312-787-4000.  Click here to download the Viva! Latin Music Festival Food Vendor Application Click here to download the Country Music Festival Food Vendor Application     INDUSTRY NEWS MINIMUM WAGE INCREASE EFFECTIVE 7/1/10 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 7/1/2010 The Cook County sales tax rolls back to 1.25% on July 1, 2010 bringing the overall sales tax to 10.75%. CHICAGO AND COOK COUNTY TAXES AS OF 7/1/10 State Sales Tax 6.25% Chicago Sales Tax 1.25% Cook County Sales Tax 1.25% RTA Tax 1.00% Pier Tax 1.00% TOTAL SALES TAX 10.75% Plus   Restaurant Tax .25% TOTAL TAX 11.00%   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%.