Pritzker Visits UpRising, Drag Show Held 2 Weeks After Vandalism

LAKE IN THE HILLS, IL — After weeks of dealing with backlash over a family friendly drag show and the temporary forced cancellation of its events, UpRising Bakery and Cafe has had a couple days of positive news.

Last week, the business learned it would again be able to host events, including its drag show. And on Friday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker visited UpRising, 2104 W. Algonquin Road in Lake in the Hills. He wrote a message and signed his name on a window that had been boarded up after the business was vandalized.

"The honor of a lifetime was shaking this man's hand. Thank you, Mr. Governor Pritzker," UpRising wrote on its Facebook page Friday.

On Saturday, the business went ahead with holding its drag show. The event was originally slated to happen two weeks earlier but was cancelled after 24-year-old Joseph I. Collins, of Alsip was accused of using a baseball bat to break a glass door and spray-painting a homophobic slur, "Christ is King" and "groomers" on the side of the building, according to court documents.

"Today was everyone. It was fun, beautiful, delicious, loving, warm, sold out and best of all safe," according to a Facebook post regarding the drag show.

Collins has been charged with hate crime and criminal damage to property, both Class 4 felonies, in connection with the vandalism. He has since posted the required 10 percent of his $10,000 bail and has been released from the McHenry County Jail.

He is next expected in court for a preliminary hearing on Aug. 26.

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