From Illinois Press Association Communications
The Illinois Press Association is distributing the attached letter to the editor for your consideration for publication. In it, Peoria restaurant owner Tremayne Branch urges state lawmakers to repeal the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act before it goes into effect July 1.
Running a restaurant is hard enough; this law makes it harder
By TREMAYNE BRANCH
Restaurant Owner, Peoria
I own several restaurants in Peoria, where I spend long hours managing a team and doing everything I can to keep the business running and my employees paid. Like many small business owners, I’m used to challenges, but the Interchange Fee Prohibition Act taking effect on July 1 in Illinois could make things more difficult.
Restaurants like mine already run on very thin margins. Every dollar matters, and even small changes can make a big difference to my bottom line. We rely on things running smoothly, especially when it comes to how customers pay.
Right now, checkout is simple. My customers finish their meal, then pay and leave a tip without any hassle. Under this law, I may have to explain that they can use a credit card for part of the bill, but not for the sales tax or the tip. That means multiple transactions, confusion at the register and longer wait times, especially when we’re busy.
I’m really worried about my employees who rely on tips to make ends meet. Most people tip on a credit card because it’s easy. If tipping gets harder, or we’re forced to accept tips only in cash, people will tip less and that will make it harder for my employees to cover daily necessities like rent, groceries and childcare.
This law is going to cost money that a lot of small businesses like mine don’t have. I’ll need to update my systems and retrain my staff, and that all adds up. Big companies can probably absorb those costs, but for a small local restaurant just trying to stay afloat, it’s one more thing working against us.
When it gets harder for small businesses to operate, that impact reaches far beyond our front doors and spills into the communities we love.
So I’m asking state lawmakers to step back, listen to the people on the front lines, and repeal this law before it takes effect.
