A message from our President & CEO, Sam Toia: 2022 has been a year of recovery, growth, and adjusting to a "new normal." Over the past year, the IRA has been centrally focused on our mission to promote, protect, educate, and advance the restaurant and hospitality industry of Illinois. From an advocacy perspective, the IRA secured $50 million in dedicated grants for restaurants in the state's FY2023 budget. We also fought for more funding at the federal level and rallied against against tax and fee increases locally. The IRA was also pleased to reconvene a number of in-person events: from the Annual Meeting to Meet the Experts, Chef's Table to @chicago_gourmet, and dozens of other successful events, 2022 was a comeback year for the entire industry. These successes would not have been possible without the support of our members, Officers, Board of Directors, and corporate sponsors. One behalf of the IRA, I would like to personally thank Chairman Sam Sanchez who has led the Association and industry through two, extremely challenging years. Our restaurants and industry are stronger because of his service, thank you. I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year and a prosperous 2023!