Business & Tech
UpRising Supporters, Detractors Pack Village Board Meeting
More than 80 people stopped out to the Tuesday meeting to voice their concerns, as well as their support, for the Lake in the Hills bakery.
LAKE IN THE HILLS, IL —More than 80 people stopped out to the Lake in the Hills Village Board meeting Tuesday to voice their support for, and opposition to, a bakery in town, which has drawn criticism over a family friendly drag show the business hosts.
Eric Willoughby, who spoke in support of the bakery, called on the village board to condemn protestors, who claim the bakery is "spreading conspiracies" surrounding how the LGBTQ community is trying to groom children, according to Shaw Media. James Gustafson, a former Lake in the Hills resident who currently lives in Arizona, was also at Tuesday's meeting and said he doesn't think young children should be exposed to content being displayed at the bakery.
He says he plans to make his voice heard by camping out at the bakery every day through March, according to the article.
Find out what's happening in Algonquin-Lake In The Hillsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"I have been sworn at. I've been threatened," he said. "If love is truly love, I have not seen that displayed by patrons of the bakery."
The cafe, which has been dealing with opposition to its drag shows since the summer, has seen more protestors stopping out to the parking lot of the cafe in the past week. Counter-protestors, carrying rainbow flags, have also been spotted in the parking lot of the business, which is located at 1204 W. Algonquin Road, and lining Algonquin Road.
Find out what's happening in Algonquin-Lake In The Hillsfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
"Thank you to every single person who came out yesterday to support us, stand with us, spread love and joy with us. I don’t think this is the last time we’ll need you to be our line of defense," Uprising owner Corrina Bendel-Sac wrote in a Facebook post over the weekend. "I am so happy that you kept it peaceful and no one was hurt (that’s my biggest fear). Please know I appreciate you more than you can ever know."
The bakery has faced threats and vandalism, including a July incident where 24-year-old Joseph I. Collins, of Alsip was arrested for accusations he used a a baseball bat to break a glass door at the care. Police say he spray-painted a homophobic slur, "Christ is King" and "groomers" on the side of the building during the early morning hours of July 23 — the same day a family-friendly drag show was supposed to take place, according to court documents.
Following the incident, village officials at one point ordered the bakery to stop hosting its drag shows — surrounding concerns over proper zoning issues — but was able to work with business to continue allowing the shows.
Village officials say their main focus now is on the safety of all involved with the business, according to Shaw Media.
"Our previous concerns we had with the bakery owner were addressed," said Ray Bogdanoski, Lake in the Hills village president. "No matter what side of the issue you're on ... our main focus (is safety)."
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