Man Pleads Guilty To Hate Crime In UpRising Vandalism Case

LAKE IN THE HILLS, IL — An Alsip man accused of vandalizing a Lake in the Hills bakery has pleaded guilty to a hate crime and was sentenced to jail.

Joseph Collins, of the 11700 block of South Ridgeway in Alsip, entered the guilty plea Wednesday in McHenry County Circuit Court. He has been sentenced to 180 days in jail and two years of probation.

He's also been ordered to complete 200 hours of public service upon his release from prison and $1,400 in fines and $2,300 in restitution, according to online court records.

July 22, 2022, Collins used a bat to break the glass door at UpRising Bakery & Cafe and spray-painted "groomers" on the side of the now-shuttered business. He also spray-painted a homophobic slur and "Christ is King" on the building at 2104 W. Algonquin Road.

Lake in the Hills Police Department arrested him shortly after the incident. The vandalism occurred on the same day that a "family friendly" drag show was planned at the bakery.

Uprising Cafe owner Corrina Sac closed the business in March. She said backlash over her business's support of gay rights contributed to her decision.

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