THE VOICE OF CHICAGO'S GAY, LESBIAN, BI, TRANS AND QUEER COMMUNITY SINCE 1985

This statewide emergency assistance fund will provide direct financial support to restaurant industry workers facing unforeseen hardship due to COVID-19. Grants will help cover basic living expenses such as rent, food and utilities as the individual works through crisis.

The IRAEF Restaurant Employee Relief Fund will provide one-time financial support of $500 to restaurant workers in Illinois. In an effort to help those who are most vulnerable, Restaurant Employee Relief Grants will be evaluated in the following order of priority for restaurant workers who are:

—Diagnosed with coronavirus ( COVID-19 ), or a caregiver for an immediate family member who has been diagnosed with COVID-19, or quarantined with a doctor's note; and

—Out of work for three weeks or more without unemployment benefits.

Required documents include proof of Illinois residency; a pay stub from the most recent foodservice establishment where the applicant was employed for a minimum of 90 days; and a doctor's note and letter/notice of termination or other verification of unemployment.

The applications are at www.illinoisrestaurants.org/page/ReliefFundApplication .