Kane County Reporter

A Fox Valley boycott campaign targeting businesses that support conservative causes, including figures like President-elect Donald Trump, has drawn sharp criticism from State Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Cherry Valley). 

The campaign, led by Geneva Alderman Martha Paschke and political operative Paula Merrington, has sparked a debate over free speech and the rights of small business owners, with Syverson calling it a dangerous attack on both.

“This type of action from the far left, to ban free speech or punish job creators in their own communities for having different views, demonstrates how far radicals in the Democratic Party have gone,” Syverson told the Kane County Reporter.  

The boycott, organized through a Facebook group called Fox Valley Activists, has drawn attention for compiling a spreadsheet of local businesses, restaurants, and charities considered “problematic” for displaying Trump signs, hosting GOP events, or supporting conservative causes. 

Critics argue that the effort seeks to stifle free speech, with some accusing Paschke of using her political office to orchestrate the campaign.

Syverson warned that such tactics could set a dangerous precedent.

“The public views the idea of punishing neighbors for holding different views from theirs as very anti-American,” Syverson said. “It also raises concerns in the public’s mind, which groups these leaders might target next for disagreeing with them on an issue. If a business opposes a tax increase, will there be repercussions against them? I believe the public will respond the same way they did when the left went after, for example, Chick-fil-A, the sales skyrocketed.” 

Syverson noted that similar tactics have been used in the past, often leading to unintended consequences. He said that when businesses are targeted for their political or religious beliefs, many people rally behind them, perceiving the business as a victim of a political attack.

“The public recognizes that it is not appropriate to target a business based on its political or religious beliefs,” he said. “In such cases, people often rally behind what they perceive as a victim of a political attack. As a result, these actions often backfire, typically resulting in increased sales for small businesses.” 

Syverson also emphasized the importance of protecting the right of individuals and businesses to express their views, even if those views are controversial or unpopular.

“They have every right to express their views, even if those include hate speech or calls for boycotts against employers who disagree with them on issues,” he said. “This right is what distinguishes a free society from those that seek to ban opposing viewpoints. However, it is crucial to ensure that when boycotts fail, leaders should not be allowed to misuse their positions to weaponize the local government against those who disagree with them.” 

Syverson is not alone in his criticism.

Dan Proft, host of Chicago’s Morning Answer on WIND-AM, compared the campaign to tactics used by authoritarian regimes, further fueling the debate over political polarization in America.

“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.

Syverson represents the Illinois Senate 35th District which includes the communities of Big Rock, Sugar Grove, Hinckley, Willow Creek, Kaneville, Windenoak, Maple Park, Cortland, Virgil, Sycamore, Burlington, Starks, Hampshire, Pingree Grove, Gilberts, Harmony, Huntley, Marengo, Hartland, Harvard, Alden, Hebron, Greenwood, Richmond, Belden, Chemung, Lawrence, Capron and Poplar Grove.