A man was sentenced to 180 days in jail after pleading guilty to committing a hate crime at UpRising Bakery and Cafe in Lake in the Hills on the day the business was set to host a drag show.
Joseph I. Collins, 25, of Alsip, was indicted by a grand jury in August 2022 on charges of hate crime, two counts of criminal damage to property and criminal defacement.
The charges stem from an incident that occurred early in the morning on July 23, 2022, at UpRising Bakery and Cafe, 2104 West Algonquin Road in Lake in the Hills.
Officers were notified of a criminal damage to property in progress, according to Lake in the Hills Police Department Communications Coordinator Rachael Ruiz.
An Algonquin police sergeant had spotted Collins leave the scene and was “instrumental in this incident,” Ruiz said.
Lake in the Hills officers, along with the Algonquin police sergeant, took Collins into custody.
UpRising Bakery and Cafe sustained significant damage, Ruiz said.
Officers found broken windows, a broken door and hateful messages spray painted on the exterior wall of the building.
UpRising Bakery and Cafe had planned to host a drag show later that day.
Collins was later transported to the McHenry County Jail and released after posting 10% of a $10,000 bond.
The business reported receiving in-person and online threats after they announced they were hosting the drag show that children were welcome to attend.
Collins on Wednesday entered into a negotiated plea deal with the McHenry County State’s Attorney’s Office where he pleaded guilty to one count of hate crime, a Class 4 felony.
McHenry County Judge Tiffany Davis accepted the plea deal and sentenced Collins to 180 days in the McHenry County Jail and two years of probation.
He will additionally be required to perform 200 hours of public service and pay $2,304 in restitution.
Davis also ordered Collins to complete a program discouraging hate crimes against LGBTQ+ persons.
In May, UpRising announced they were permanently closing despite having raised over $30,000 to remain open.
The owner said the closure was due to low sales following the hate crime.