Elmhurst Shop Faces Wrath Over 'Chinese Influence' Sign

ELMHURST, IL — About five months ago, Dulles Cleaners in downtown Elmhurst had a sign that read, "Pray For The Removal Of Demonic Chinese Influence In Our Country."

It was apparently taken down shortly after it was put up. But a photo of the sign is making the rounds on the internet. Many people are denouncing the sign as racist against those of Chinese descent.

During an interview, business owner John Dulles, whose shop is at 128 N. Addison Ave., kept receiving phone calls, which he said were from people wanting to criticize him for the sign. A man came in to confront Dulles, calling him a racist.

Dulles said the wording in the sign was a mistake. He said he should have made it clear that he was referring to the Chinese government, not the Chinese people.

"I have nothing against Chinese people," he said. "I am not a racist."

Dulles said the sign was up for about a week before a woman with a daughter of Chinese descent complained about it. That prompted him to take it down.

In response to the criticism, Dulles has ordered a new sign, which is expected to read, "I apologize for using the wrong word 'people' instead of 'government' in my sign 6 months ago."

He questioned why the sign is appearing on the internet five months later, saying he suspected it was because of his support for former President Donald Trump.

Dulles' backing of Trump is no secret because he has placed signs in support of the president.

At the same time as the "Chinese" sign was up, it was accompanied by another one reading, "President Trump Wins 70% Of The Vote — Over 400 Electoral Delegates." (The election was certified in Democrat Joe Biden's favor.)

A few minutes into the interview, Andrew Kim, who lives in a condo on Addison Avenue, opened the door, looked at Dulles and called him a racist.

Dulles responded that the sign has been down for months.

"You should never have put it up in the first place," Kim said. "You are a racist p***k."

Dulles explained what he meant to say in the sign and then asked Kim whether he supported the Chinese government. Kim left.

In an interview outside the shop, Kim told Patch that Dulles is just putting spin on the sign's words.

"It was clearly racist," Kim said. "I am sympathetic to small businesses, but that doesn't justify racist behavior."

Over the weekend, protests were held nationwide calling for an end to anti-Asian violence. Participants pointed to the deadly shootings at Atlanta-area spas as the latest example.

Patch asked Dulles whether he has lost business by vocally taking sides in the presidential race. He said he imagined his pro-Trump signs have turned off potential Democratic customers. But he said he believes in speaking the truth for the benefit of the country. He pointed to memorabilia for Ronald Reagan in his business, adding that he also likes Dwight Eisenhower and Theodore Roosevelt.

Another downtown business with a controversial message is Elmhurst Cigar House, 114 W. Park Ave., where a sign reads, "Biden voters keep out!"

Dulles said he didn't think it was a good idea to tell a particular candidate's supporters to stay away.

"I'll take anyone that comes in," he said.

Last May, Patch interviewed Dulles about how the pandemic caused a big drop in business.

In 1958, Dulles' father founded the shop. John Dulles joined full time shortly after graduating from high school in 1980, four decades ago.