Illinois Valley Times

Sandy Hoos, owner of Rawfully Yours Juice Bar & Café in LaSalle, is facing harassment and threats after her support for a local immigration ordinance led to backlash from the community. 

The controversy began after she posted a message on her business’s Instagram page celebrating the passage of the "Illegal Transportation Drop-off of Illegal Immigrants Ordinance."

The backlash has been swift, with Hoos now reportedly facing death threats, online smears, and criticism from local residents.

Sign for Rawfully Yours | Rawfully Yours

“They’re calling and tying up my business line, screaming at me that I’m a Nazi, racist and hateful,” Hoos told the Illinois Valley Times. “They’re making up lies about us all over social media, and it’s going viral on Snapchat, Nextdoor, Instagram, and Facebook. I’ve even been swatted a couple of days ago. People have attacked my Yelp and Google reviews, giving me 1-star ratings. Although some of those reviews were taken down, they just keep reposting them. It’s terrifying.”

The harassment has extended beyond online attacks. Hoos, who also serves as a member of the Bureau County Board, said she has been subjected to multiple death threats, which she has reported to the local police.

“It’s been nasty. The hatred is so deep, it’s almost demonic,” she said. “People are saying I’m hiding out, cowering, but let me tell you—there’s no time for that. Isn’t it the American way to have a debate, to discuss these issues? If I’m wrong, then prove me wrong, and I’ll handle it. But I still don’t know what I’m wrong about.”

Hoos said that much of the criticism stems from her stance on illegal immigration, which has sparked political tensions in the community.

“I’m not about ripping children out of their mother’s arms—that’s just a lie,” Hoos said. “What I’m against are people breaking the laws of our land and disrespecting this country. You can’t get away with that in another country and expect free citizenship. I have Mexican friends who came here legally, who did everything by the book to become proud American citizens. They’re upset, too. They know that millions of these illegal immigrants are criminals. I feel sorry for the young people coming here, paying thousands of dollars to cartels just to get across the border, and then being sent back. It’s heartbreaking.”

Her Instagram post reads: “WE DID IT, folks!!! Another win for America and our beautiful Bureau County. We passed the Illegal Transportation Drop-off of Illegal Immigrants Ordinance. Our citizens can sleep peacefully tonight knowing this Board #cares about their safety. Thank you to ALLLLL the caring citizens who showed up.”

Hoos said that this sparked an effort to effectively shut down her business.

She also believes the political fallout over her views has been exacerbated by local media and critics who have seized on her statements.

"I’ve been slammed by a local radio pundit who has hated me since COVID. Now, everything I’m doing as a County Board member just throws more gas on this fire," she said. "These people want to call me racist, but I’m just standing up for what I believe in. Take, for example, the tragic case of the young lady who was tortured to death on the New York subway. If that were your sister, niece, or mother, would you be okay with it? Yet they want to call me racist."

Hoos also criticized the way some people talk about immigrants, pointing out the disparaging language often used to justify their stance.

"Every time these people want to throw that at me, they always say, 'Who’s going to do our dishes? Who’s going to mow the grass? Who’s going to do all these low-paying jobs?'" Hoos said.  

She said that she knows many hardworking, successful immigrants who are business owners and professionals with high-paying jobs, and claims that such comments are demeaning.

"I never hear one complaint from them," she said. "They're coming here for a good life, not to be pigeonholed into menial tasks. What they’re suggesting sounds like slavery to me." 

Hoos pointed out that, in her view, the people making these arguments are reflecting a deeper issue with the history of the Democratic Party.

"They are the party of slavery," she said. 

Hoos demonstrated her commitment to her beliefs during the COVID-19 pandemic when she defied state shutdown orders to keep her restaurant open.

She recalled a turning point during the lockdown when she saw other small business owners arrested for reopening their businesses.

"That’s when I knew I had to make a stand. We needed to defy this unconstitutional overreach," she said. "I had death threats, and they smeared human feces on my car. But I couldn’t back down. It was time to stand up for what’s right."

As for the current situation, Hoos remains resolute in her stance and continues to echo her belief that open discussion and healthy debate are vital to finding common ground.

"We all need each other," she said. “But it seems like if you don’t agree with certain people, you’re supposed to take a backseat and live according to their beliefs. That’s not what America is about.”

Despite the harassment, Hoos says she will always be committed to her values and to serving her community.

"These illegal immigrants are breaking the law," she said. "The Bible teaches law and order, and so does our country. What’s wrong with asking people to come here legally? Why is that such a bad thing?”

She also said she hopes that the current divisive political atmosphere will eventually give way to more productive, respectful conversations. 

"I would love to see a common ground where we all love America and respect the Constitution," she said. "It’s worked for us for centuries. It’s time we start honoring it again."

Since the backlash began, Hoos said her business has been negatively impacted. In response, the Bureau County Democrats have posted on their Facebook page urging followers not to patronize her business.

Among the critics is Princeton native Kate Bender, who now resides in Columbus, Wis. Bender previously criticized her local city council for not flying an official pride flag on government buildings.

Bender shared a photo of Hoos' Instagram post in the Bureau County Democrats group, seemingly encouraging others to boycott Rawfully Yours Juice Bar & Café.

Richard Paul Wilkin, a former school counselor at Bureau Valley CUSD, also joined the chorus of critics, vowing to "ostracize" Hoos for her views.

Susan Thornton, an Ottawa resident and former Veterans Service Officer Associate at the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs, weighed in by calling Bureau County residents “bigots.”

In her statement to supporters, Hoos said she believes the vitriol stems from broader political tensions following the election of President Donald Trump. 

“I believe President Trump’s swearing-in was so fresh, and the anger toward that is being taken out on my business,” Hoos said. “They can’t take their hate and frustrations toward him. He will never see it. But they can take it out on me.”

As a result of the harassment, Hoos said the revenue from her business has dropped substantially. 

“This started last Tuesday, and my revenue has tanked!” she told supporters. “I’m hearing people are afraid to be seen inside my business. I stand to lose over $100,000 and 17 years of my life.”

Hoos also appealed to supporters who continue to patronize her business. 

“We all need each other,” she said. “Sure, we’ve had a few new people come in to support us, but it’s not enough.”