Dupage Policy Journal

Following tensions surrounding a canceled drag queen event, conservative group Awake Illinois said Democratic Rep. Sean Casten is fostering a culture of cancellation. Their pointed critique highlights a clash of ideologies, with Awake Illinois asserting that Casten's past actions have contributed to the very environment of hostility he now denounces.

“Really Rep. Casten? This is rich coming from you,” Awake Illinois wrote in an Oct. 18 social media post on X. “You’ve spread heinous lies about our organization hoping to silence us. Your leftist trolls have spewed vitriol and made threats to our members. You never once chastised them for it. Welcome to the cancel culture YOU bred.”

The post was made in response to a social media post by Rep. Casten saying. “For democracy to work though, people on all sides of all issues have to feel empowered to share their opinions, experience, and wisdom so that we can collectively make decisions that deliver the greatest good for the greatest number.”

Attached to Awake Illinois' response was a previous article published by the DuPage Policy Journal, reporting Rep. Casten's criticism of Keith Pekau, the Orland Park mayor and Casten's Republican opponent, for allegedly fostering an unsafe environment in the community. Casten accused Pekau and Awake Illinois of inciting threats that led to the cancellation of a drag queen bingo event at Downers Grove Public Library. 

“They should be ashamed of themselves. They have used their platform to promote hatred, homophobia, and bigotry,” Casten said. “Let's be clear. This event was canceled because, after my Republican opponent and his far-right allies at Awake Illinois publicly issued a call-to-action to their supporters, the library received severe threats that endangered our community.”

Drag queen Aurora Divine, known for explicit performances, was set to host the event. When Awake Illinois became aware of the event, the organization launched a "call to action" campaign, encouraging people to attend a library board meeting and contact local representatives. The event was later canceled due to threats, including one advising attendees to "bring weapons," though the person later apologized. Despite harassment reports, the police took no further action.

Awake Illinois was launched in May 2021 as a “grassroots movement of fellow parents and citizens who are committed to protecting our children, our liberties, and our American way of life.” Its first chapter was in Naperville.