Alsip Man Accused of Vandalizing Business Before Drag Show

LAKE IN THE HILLS, IL — A 24-year-old Alsip man is in custody on hate crime and criminal damage to property charges in McHenry County, both Class 4 felonies. Joseph I. Collins is accused of smashing windows at a Lake in the Hills bakery and café, and spray-painting "hateful messages" before a scheduled drag show.

Just after midnight Saturday, authorities responded to UpRising Cafe & Bakery for a report of criminal damage to property. A man, later identified as Collins, fled from the business on foot, was arrested a short time later, according to a news release from the Lake in the Hills Police Department.

Police said Collins used a baseball bat to break a glass door at the bakery and cafe, and spray-painted "groomers" on the side of the building on the day a family-friendly drag show was supposed to take place at the business, according to court documents. Collins is also said to have spray-painted the words “Christ is King” and another homophobic slur. The upheaval centered around the business allowing children to attend the event.

>>> 'Hate Has No Home Here': Cafe Responds To Vandalism, Threats

Earlier in the week, Lake in the Hills police alerted the public to possible protests planned at the bakery, 2104 W. Algonquin Road, ahead of the drag show. The drag show that was planned for Saturday night and cancelled following the incident. Police have also been investigating other threats directed at the bakery in the weeks leading up to the drag show.

The business, which opened in November, has been hosting drag shows in recent months, selling tickets for children and adults. It's been lauded by local gay couples for its "chill vibes," becoming a hangout for them. In recent weeks, the café saw backlash from some regarding its upcoming drag show, which had been planned for Saturday evening, claiming the business was targeting children by selling tickets meant for those under the age of 18 years old.

Critics of the Brunch at Night drag show, which sold out for its July 23 show, say tickets priced lower for children made it look like the business was trying to draw children to the event, according to the Daily Herald. But the business owner says the ticket price is lower because it costs less to make the meals for children. She said she worked with performers to make sure the family friendly show was not too risqué.

Lake in the Hills police investigated claims over whether the show was inappropriate for children to attend and did not find it to be in violation of any village ordinance.

UpRising Bakery & Cafe has a strong following among the local LGBTQ+ community, who like the business’s “chill vibe” and proximity. Two customers have since started a GoFundMe campaign to help the owner repair the damage, which is more than $500, but less than $10,000, according to the complaint states. The business opened Sunday and sold out "of everything" as people came out in support of the business, the owner said.

Collins, of the 11700 block of South Ridgeway in Alsip, is being held on $10,000 bail in the McHenry County Jail. Authorities have not said if Collins has been linked to any of the past threats against the bakery-cafe, or if more charges would be filed in connection with any additional threats.