Kane County Reporter

A series of coordinated boycotts by a leftist group targeting businesses in Fox Valley has ignited a fierce debate over cancel culture and its impact on local communities.

Critics have accused Geneva Alderman Martha Paschke of using her political influence to orchestrate the boycott of local businesses that have showed support for President-elect Donald Trump or MAGA (Make America Great Again) causes.

Paschke, through her since-deleted Facebook group "Fox Valley Activists," shared a spreadsheet of businesses to ban that included local favorites like Rookies in St. Charles, Moveable Feast in Wheaton, and Big Hearts of Fox Valley—a charity that provides winter coats and gifts for struggling children.

The spreadsheet also detailed the reasons why businesses earned a spot on the boycott list, such as displaying Trump signs during election season, or for having social media accounts that reflect support for the GOP. 

“Martha Paschke-Geneva Alderwoman for 4th ward & Dir. of Innovation & Strategy at City of Aurora-admins the Facebook Fox Valley group that is actively discouraging patronage to the very businesses in her City,” Awake Illinois said on X.   

“Guess her innovative strategy is focused on cancel culture.” 

“Weird.”

Dan Proft, host of Chicago’s Morning Answer on WIND-AM 560, called the effort a function of the “Illinois Political Ruling Class' goon squad.”

“The local Stasi in west suburban Chicago compiled a target list of local businesses, thanks to Gruppenführer Martha Paschke who is also an elected official in Geneva, to be eliminated with extreme prejudice for the thought and speech crimes of their owners and employees which have also been detailed,” Proft said on X. 

Paschke did not respond to a voicemail left by the Kane County Reporter, nor did Geneva Mayor Kevin Burns.

When reached via phone Aurora Mayor Richard Irvin's office said they'd get back to Kane County Reporter on the issue. 

Geneva’s Paula Merrington served alongside Paschke as an administrator of the Fox Valley Activists Facebook page. 

"Antiracism, equality, a woman's right to choose, and women in politics are all life-long passion projects," her LinkedIn profile reads.

Merrington is a Democrat political operative. 

“[Merrington] has made over 15 posts attacking local businesses. This woman is out for BLOOD. She’s not stopping at one or two businesses—she’s going for EVERYONE who stands up for conservative values,” Next News Network said on X. 

According to a series of posts on X from Next News Network, the boycott list by Paschke’s group includes a wide range of small businesses, restaurants and community organizations. 

Many of these businesses are being attacked for hosting conservative events, displaying Trump signs or expressing support for Republican candidates. 

Next News Network accused Paschke of using cancel culture to silence those who hold conservative views and of attempting to destroy local businesses that do not conform to her political beliefs.

"Rookies in St. Charles made the list because their servers wore MAGA hats. THAT’S IT," Next News Network said on X. "The hardworking people at Rookies are being attacked for expressing their beliefs."

Similar accusations have been leveled at Dukes, another restaurant in St. Charles, where employees were also reportedly seen sporting MAGA hats.

Other businesses, such as Bear Republic in Elgin, Gun Barrel Coffee in Batavia and Copper Fox and Foxfire, and Village Squire in South Elgin have been targeted for hosting GOP events. 

Sonny Acres in West Chicago and Lucky Joe’s in Batavia are being boycotted for their display of pro-Trump signs.

Fox Valley Buick/GMC is also being targeted for supporting Republican candidates. 

“This dealership is a cornerstone of the local economy, employing dozens of workers. Hurting them doesn’t just hurt the owners—it hurts every employee and their family,” Next News Netwrok said on X.

Businesses like Excel Automotive, which supports Big Hearts of Fox Valley, are also facing economic attacks, despite their role in helping children in need.

The Next News Network's series of tweets has sparked outrage among local conservatives, who argue that the boycotts are a form of economic warfare aimed at stifling free speech. 

"This isn’t about justice; it’s about forcing people to bend the knee. THEY WANT TO CONTROL WHAT YOU WEAR AND THINK!" Next News Network said on X. 

For business owners like Mike Carney, the owner of The Office in St. Charles, who has faced criticism for expressing support for Trump on social media, the stakes are high. 

“The mob wants to DESTROY an entire business because of a few online posts,” Next News Network said on X. 

Similarly Whiskey Bend and Heinz Bros. in St. Charles are being targeted for their support of Republican candidates. 

Eddie Gaedel in Elburn also made the list. 

“Eddie Gaedel in Elburn is under attack for opposing mask mandates,” Next News network said on X. “That’s it! They stood up for personal freedom, and now the mob wants to crush them. This isn’t about safety—it’s about CONTROL. They want to break every small business that dares to dissent.

Peerless Fence and Prestige Imports, two local businesses owned by Republicans, are also being boycotted despite their long-standing contributions to the local economy.

In addition to businesses, local charities like Big Hearts of Fox Valley are being targeted by the boycott campaign. 

"Big Hearts, run by the owner of Excel Automotive, doesn’t just give; it SAVES lives," Next News Network said on X. "Canceling Big Hearts means children without coats, families without gifts, and pure, unfiltered SUFFERING this winter!"

Wheaton’s Moveable Feast became a target for displaying a Trump sign. 

"That’s all it takes to be blacklisted by these radicals," Next News Network said on X. 

Other businesses being targeted include Napleton Chevrolet in St. Charles, which has been accused of supporting MAGA candidates. 

Similarly, Arcedium Coffeehouse in St. Charles has come under scrutiny because of its social media activity, which included following Trump supporters.

Colonial Cafe in Geneva, a local institution for decades, is being boycotted due to the Anderson family's support of Republicans. 

"A family restaurant that has been serving the community for decades is now a target because of their beliefs," Next News Network said on X. 

Opponents of the boycott campaign are rallying behind the affected businesses. 

Next News Network urged people to visit the targeted businesses and show solidarity by sharing the message that the community will not stand idly by while these businesses are attacked. 

"Together, we fight for freedom, community, and AMERICA!" Next News Network said on X. 

This situation in Fox Valley highlights the growing tensions between conservative and liberal factions in the U.S. with cancel culture becoming an increasingly polarizing issue. 

Next News Network noted the political climate has become increasingly hostile toward conservative viewpoints and that this kind of economic retribution undermines the basic principles of free speech and political diversity. 

See the full list of targeted businesses below: 

Rookies (St. Charles, IL)

Dukes (St. Charles, IL)

Big Hearts of Fox Valley (Supported by Excel Automotive)

Moveable Feast (Wheaton, IL)

Napleton Chevrolet (St. Charles, IL)

Bear Republic (Elgin, IL)

Gun Barrel Coffee (Batavia, IL)

Eddie Gaedel (Elburn, IL)

Arcedium Coffeehouse (St. Charles, IL)

Colonial Cafe 

Copper Fox  

Foxfire  

Excel Automotive 

Heinz Bros. (St. Charles, IL)

The Office (St. Charles, IL)

Luau Coffee (Elburn, IL)

Sonny Acres (West Chicago, IL)

Peerless Fence  

Prestige Imports 

Fox Valley Buick/GMC 

Lucky Joe’s (Batavia, IL)

Village Squire (South Elgin, IL)

Whiskey Bend (St. Charles, IL)