Skip to content
  • Subscribe
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Email
  • Home
  • News
  • Opinion
  • Entertainment
  • Features
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Clumns
Suburban Chicagoland

Suburban Chicagoland

Original News, Features & Opinion on local and regional news you won't find anywhere else

  • About
    • About
    • Advertise
    • Our Writers
      • Ray Hanania
      • Bill Lipinski
      • Biography: Aaron Hanania
      • Steve Metsch
      • Steve Neuhaus
    • Terms of Service
    • Privacy Policy
    • Reach Out
  • Sections
    • Events
    • Opinion
    • News
    • Features
    • Seniors
    • Comic Strip
  • Library
    • “MIdnight Flight” Online Book
      • Midnight Flight Book Overview
      • Midnight Flight Introduction
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 1
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 2
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 3
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 4
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 5
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 6
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 7
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 8
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 9
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 10
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 11
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 12
      • Midnight Flight Chapter 13
    • Villages, Cities & Towns
    • Federal Office Holders
    • County Officials
    • Legislators
  • Subscribe to Ray’s Columns
  • Comment
  • Podcast
    • Ray Hanania on Politics
    • Two Guys on Politics
    • Hanania on Tiktok
  • News Wire
  • Toggle search form
  • Orland Township Trustee Lena Matariyeh joined with High School District 230 Trustee and newly appointed Orland Fire Commissioner Mohammed Jaber to put a spotlight on its important role in helping needy families.
    Orland Township Trustee Matariyeh joins School District Trustee Jaber in showcasing Food Pantry food
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Leving team court victory protected dad from crushing debt Dads' Rights
  • Jesse Jackson Jr July 2025
    In response to draft effort, Jesse Jackson Jr. forms Exploratory Committee to consider 2nd Congressional District run Chicago
  • OFPD responds to fire at the loading Dock of Marshalls Retail Store, 101 Orland Park Place Mall. Photo submitted by resident
    Quick Orland Fire response prevents Marshall’s fire from spreading, no injuries Fire
  • Attorneys Jeffery Leving Arthur Kallow
    Leving Matrimonial Law Seminar – Defending Orders of Protection Arthur Kallow
  • Police Blotter
    Orland Park Police Department Investigating Fatal Hit-and-Run accident
  • Taste of Orland Park 2025
    Taste of Orland Park Returns to Village Center with Food, Fun and Festivities Events
  • Orland Park Mayor Jim Dodge
    Exclusive interview with Orland Mayor Jim Dodge says former mayor left huge debt breaking news
  • Chicago Wovles play the Rockford Ice Hogs, Feb. 23, 2025
    Chicago Wolves hockey unveil 2025-26 Season schedule Chicago
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Everything you need to know about your Property Index Number or PIN Blogger
  • Andrew Boutros US Attorney Illinois
    Suburban Chicago Man Sentenced to Two Years in Federal Prison for Threatening FEMA Employees and Law Enforcement Officers Crime
  • SeatGeek Stadium
    Chivas de Guadalajara and Club Leon to meet in Chicago Bridgeview
  • OFPD Trustee DJ Jeffers, COmmissioner Mohammed Jaber, Events and Safety Coordinator Betsy Dine and McDonalds Manager Doug Kwiatkowski join about 100 kids who participated at the Frozen with a Firefighter event Wednesday, July 9, 2025
    Frozen with an Orland Firefighter at McDonald’s Events
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Chicago dad’s court victory brought kidnapped daughter home Dads' Rights
  • Congresswoman Robin Kelly official photo
    Leading members of State’s Gun Violence Prevention Community endorse Robin Kelly for U.S. Senate elections
Downers Grove Library courtesy of the Downers Grove Library

Casten slams Pekau for bullying in Drag Queen Bingo controversy

Posted on September 12, 2022September 12, 2022 By News Editor No Comments on Casten slams Pekau for bullying in Drag Queen Bingo controversy
SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  

Casten slams Pekau for bullying in Drag Queen Bingo controversy

The Downers Grove Library this week announced they would cancel a planned entertainment bingo night that was to include a “short drag queen” performance in the face of an onslaught of anonymous threats, bullying from rightwing politicians, and  fear mongering on social media.

U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) has released the following statement regarding the cancellation of the upcoming “Drag Queen Bingo” program at the Downers Grove Public Library, after Republican candidate Keith Pekau attacked the library for hosting the event.

Downers Grove Library had planned a bingo event in which a “short Drag Queen” performance would be held afterwards. The inclusion of the “drag queen” performance ignited a firestorm of homophobic attacks by Republicans seeking to rally voters going into the November 8, 2022 elections in Illinois.

Downers Grove library officials had defended the event saying that it would “help everyone see people who are different being accepted and celebrated.”

But after several rightwing politicians attacked the library and promoted homophobic fear mongering, the Downers Grove Library announced it would cancel the show.

Downers Grove Library courtesy of the Downers Grove Library
Downers Grove Library courtesy of the Downers Grove Library

“Unfortunately, in this case, it is not possible to provide a safe place for everyone due to the threats made,” a statement released by the Downer’s Grove Library explained. “To all of the teens who registered for our event and community members in support of the event: we are sorry drag queen bingo cannot happen at this time.”

 

Library officials said that the threats which forced the closing of the performance are being investigated by the Downers Grove police.

Leading the attacks against the library was Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau who is running for Congress as a Republican in the 6th District. In a letter to voters sent out on Sept. 7, 2022, Pekau blasted the library accusing them of using tax dollars to fund an “inappropriate” event.

“Some politicians have no problem seeing how extreme they can go. We see them do this in Washington with reckless spending and even on issues they have no business involving themselves in. But now we’re seeing this type of extremism on the local level,” Pekau said in his election eNewsletter.
 
“Take the Downers Grove Public Library for example. They are hosting a drag queen bingo for kids. They want to use your hard earned tax dollars to host an inappropriate, sexualized event for children! There has to be an end to their extreme agenda.”

Pekau then used the letter to ask his mailing list to make donations to his congressional campaign.

Casten, the Democratic candidate in the district who has represented most of that region for several terms before the district was redrawn last year, slammed Pekau, saying he should be ashamed of himself for weaponizing homophobic fear mongering and promoting an enviroment of “hatred, homophobia, and bigotry.”

“I’m incredibly disheartened to hear that the Downers Grove Public Library is canceling their upcoming event — one meant to celebrate self-identity and self-expression — because Keith Pekau and Awake Illinois created an unsafe environment in our community. They should be ashamed of themselves. They have used their platform to promote hatred, homophobia, and bigotry,” Casten said Monday.

“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.”

Many community activists criticized Pekau for using what has been an accepted form of entertainment and turning into a platform of hate, targeting the LGBTAQ community. Ironically, the straight community also has participated in “drag queen” events including during public activities such as Halloween without being bullied or shamed.

Pekau complained that he was being attacked by the mainstream news media and other community leaders, writing in his statement, “Local media is echoing the sentiments of the extreme politicians—the Daily Herald implied I am inciting violence, the Daily Southtown said I am being theatrical, John Williams on WGN questioned every response I gave him for why I’m standing up for our kids, and the Chicago Sun-Times paints MY outrage as part of the problem.”

Casten continued, “The 6th District is a place for kindness, love, and decency. Hate has no home here. The fact that Keith Pekau disagrees shows he has no place in public office.”

Here is the full letter from the Downers Grove Library:

September 12, 2022

To our Downers Grove Community,

For the safety of everyone involved, the difficult decision has been made to cancel the upcoming Drag Queen Bingo program due to threats made against the Downers Grove Public Library.

These threats are currently under active investigation by law enforcement. Providing an inclusive, welcoming, and safe space for everyone in the Downers Grove community is of the utmost importance to the library. We recognize the significance of offering services and programs like Drag Queen Bingo that provide a window to the world, as well as a mirror to it, creating opportunities for patrons to see the wonderfully diverse community in which we live.

Unfortunately, in this case, it is not possible to provide a safe place for everyone due to the threats made. To all of the teens who registered for our event and community members in support of this event: we are sorry Drag Queen Bingo cannot happen at this time.

We are determined to find additional ways to support you and your friends in safe, fun, and inclusive representation throughout the library. Hate did not win today. We stand by the event and Aurora Divine. We tried our best to make Drag Queen Bingo happen. However, due to the severity of the threats made against the library, we have been forced to cancel the event. It is our responsibility to keep you safe.

We are disappointed and saddened by the some of the vitriolic feedback that we received for what was meant to be an evening of fun and celebration of self-identity and self-expression. Thank you to everyone who has sent us messages of support; you have helped us reaffirm our commitment to essential inclusive programming in Downers Grove.

A special thanks to all those kind and generous folks who have stopped by to offer words of encouragement and thoughtful gestures. We appreciate you. There is no further information about this threat that may be shared with the public at this time and no further comment can be made. We ask the community to please show kindness in the days leading up to National Coming Out Day, October 11.

Sincerely, Julie Milavec

Library Director and The Downers Grove Public Library Staff

newswire info
  • Author
  • Recent Posts
News Editor
News Editor
News Editor at Suburban Chicagoland
Managing Editor and News Editor for stories published in SuburbanChicagoland
News Editor
Latest posts by News Editor (see all)
  • Quick Orland Fire response prevents Marshall’s fire from spreading, no injuries - July 15, 2025
  • Suburban Chicago Man Sentenced to Two Years in Federal Prison for Threatening FEMA Employees and Law Enforcement Officers - July 12, 2025
  • Orland Fire District reports several 4th of July fires but no injuries - July 5, 2025
  • Tweet

SHARE THIS STORY
            
 
  
 
 
 
           
Entertainment, News, Orland Park, Politics, Radio, Suburban Chicagoland Tags:6th Congressional District, Bingo, bullying, discrimination, Downers Grove Library, Drag queen, Drag Queen Bingo, homophobic. LGBTQ, Keith Pekau, police investigation, public entertainment, Racism, Sean Casten, threats

Post navigation

Previous Post: “Plan Your Escape” is the theme for the Orland Fire Protection District annual Open House Sept. 24
Next Post: Raymond Lopez says 500th Chicago murder unacceptable fir America’s 3rd largest city

Related Posts

  • Culver's Restaurants are always working to help the needy in our communities
    Culver’s Partners with Chicago Police Memorial Foundation to Make a Difference Blogger
  • Orland Township supervisor Paul O'Grady
    Orland Township places Term Limits referendum on upcoming April 6 ballot Briefs
  • Lucy Kirkwood is a playwright and screenwriter. In 2009, her play It Felt Empty When the Heart Went At First But It Is Alright Now was produced by Clean Break at the Arcola Theatre. Nominated for an Evening Standard Award for Best Newcomer, it made Lucy joint winner of the John Whiting Award. Chimerica premiered at the Almeida Theatre in 2013 and transferred to the West End, earning Best New Play at the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards, as well as the Critics Circle and Susan Smith Blackburn Award. Recent work includes Mosquitoes at the National Theatre in 2017, and The Children, which premiered at the Royal Court in 2016, and opened on Broadway at Manhattan Theatre Club in 2017.
    Steppenwolf Theater announcers premier of “The Children” Entertainment
  • Vote for the Parents for Student excellence slate by re-electing Jorge Torres, and electing Olivia Quintero, Vito Campanile, and Winifred Rodriguez on April 2 and take a stand for the educational rights and safety of your children.
    Voters should reject failed leadership in Lyons School District 103 Blogger
  • The Stagg High School Symphonic Band recently performed at the Wentz Concert Hall at Northern Illinois University under the direction of Bob Mecozzi
    Stagg High School Receives National Recognition Education
  • Opinion: Orland Mayor accuses me of writing fiction over public meeting Blogger

More Related Articles

David Crowley, Milwaukee County Executive. Photo courtesy of Milwaukee County “Policy Forum Report Shows Sales Tax Critical to Local Government” in Milwaukee County Government
Kevin Sanders, 15, was shot and killed on Nov. 22, 2010. Photo courtesy of Crime Stoppers and the Cicero Police Department Cicero Police continue to search for suspects in Kevin Sanders killing Chicago
Blues hit it big in Lyons News
High-tech Santa News
Police Squad Car, courtesy of Wikipedia Bridgeview shooting raised fears of another mass killing Blogger
Goodman Theater Summer 2025 programs Goodman Theatre announces a Summer 2025 line-up for all ages and interests Entertainment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Login with your Social ID
Subscribe to Ray Hanania's column graphic

Enter Your Email to Subscribe to Ray Hanania’s Columns

  • OPINION COLUMNS
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Everything you need to know about your Property Index Number or PIN
    July 12, 2025
  • Jeffery M. Leving fights for your rights
    Chicago parents and other community leaders must work together to make sure this summer isn’t deadly for our children
    July 3, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    How Technology Changed the Cook County Treasurer’s Office
    June 27, 2025
  • Attorneys Jeffery Leving Arthur Kallow
    Honoring Fathers: A Father’s Day Reflection
    June 13, 2025
  • Cook County Treasurer Maria Papas
    Understanding Cook County Property Taxes: A Guide for Homeowners
    June 13, 2025
  • 06-04-25 Two Guys on Politics Background Zoom LOGO with images
    Two Guys on Politics Podcast on Elon Musk, Trump’s Parade, LA Riots, and Middle East ban
    June 12, 2025
  • NEWS
  • Orland Township Trustee Lena Matariyeh joined with High School District 230 Trustee and newly appointed Orland Fire Commissioner Mohammed Jaber to put a spotlight on its important role in helping needy families.
    Orland Township Trustee Matariyeh joins School District Trustee Jaber in showcasing Food Pantry
    July 17, 2025
  • 05-23-25 Jeffery M. Leving
    Leving team court victory protected dad from crushing debt
    July 17, 2025
  • The-Kings-Pawn-Book-300-x-300.png
  • SPORTS
  • Chicago Wovles play the Rockford Ice Hogs, Feb. 23, 2025
    Chicago Wolves hockey unveil 2025-26 Season schedule
    July 12, 2025
  • SeatGeek Stadium
    Chivas de Guadalajara and Club Leon to meet in Chicago
    July 12, 2025
  • NEWS RELEASES
  • Orland Township Trustee Lena Matariyeh joined with High School District 230 Trustee and newly appointed Orland Fire Commissioner Mohammed Jaber to put a spotlight on its important role in helping needy families.
    Orland Township Trustee Matariyeh joins School District Trustee Jaber in showcasing Food Pantry
    July 17, 2025
  • Jesse Jackson Jr July 2025
    In response to draft effort, Jesse Jackson Jr. forms Exploratory Committee to consider 2nd Congressional District run
    July 15, 2025
John Kass Columns

Order the book PoweR PR; Ethnic Activists Guide to Strategic Communications

YOUTUBE VIDEOS

CLICK TO SUBSCRIBE TO RAY HANANIA'S YOUTUBE VIDEOS


Click here to view the video on YouTube or use the widget below.

Follow Ray Hanania at
Twitter
Facebook
TitkTok
BlueSky
RayHanania Columns

Creative Commons License
All works on this website is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Do not edit original work. Give credit to the original source.

Categories

Copyright © 2022 Suburban Chicagoland & Urban Strategies Group

Powered by PressBook Premium theme