Des Plains Theater Operator Attacks Conservatives banning Awake Illinois!

Ron Osenti the Democrat operator the Des Plains theater banned Awake Illinois from using his venue. Has ties to questionable figures.

Ron Onesti with Democrat Mayor of Chicago Lori Lightfoot

Val Ojeda, Writer

The Des Plaines Theatre canceled an event by Awake Illinois, who have faced backlash for controversial comments on the LGBTQ+ community according to Ron Onesti, the theater operator.

The theater's operator said he doesn't have a stance on either side of the issue; instead, he was just trying to do his job by offering a space for those to hold events. But his decision to host Awake Illinois received backlash.

Ron Onesti is president and founder of St. Charles, Illinois – based Onesti Entertainment Corporation, producing over 200 concerts, corporate events, casino shows and festivals annually all over the United States.

Onesti, 60, grew up in Chicago’s Little Italy. Onesti led protests in a Chicago for the removal of the Christopher Columbus statues. He got his start by leasing up the Arcada Theatre in St. Charles (which opened in 1926 and seats 900) in 2005 and four years ago acquired the Des Plaines Theatre (which opened in 1925 and seats 1,000). Both places were falling apart and ready to be torn down before Onesti stepped in.

The Des Plains theater is owned by the city, but operated by Onesti.

But instead it brought cascading concerns, and he said he canceled the event after receiving supposed death threats.

“It's not my role to have a stance with these issues. I'm merely the venue,” he said. “They said they were going to bring guns and show you what it's really about. It just got really, really bad involving all kinds of things, bullets, and dog feces.”

The event, called Coalition for Kids, was planned for Feb. 8 by Awake Illinois, a group that says it aims to address education and equality, but instead, has faced some backlash for controversial comments involving the LGBTQ+ community. Time and time again, Awake Illinois has become a target of anti-conservative groups that harass the organization from holding events.

The most recent was a forum about children and schools. Chicago Mayor candidate Paul Vallas attended the forum and was attacked and labeled “racist”

“I was not aware of the controversy, or the controversial matter. I really wasn't,” Onesti said.

The city of Des Plains which owns the theater added:

“After much consideration and careful review of community feedback, Onesti Entertainment has canceled the Des Plaines Theatre booking scheduled for Feb. 8. City Council will work with theater management to develop mutually agreeable standards to ensure this local landmark is utilized in a manner that reflects the character and culture of the City of Des Plaines.”

Onesti stated:

“What saddens me was the amount of hate that surfaced during all of this," he wrote. People threatening to mail “bullets to me, asking their neighbors to fill my garbage cans with dog feces, countless hateful calls and outwardly targeting the Des Plaines Theatre, wishing its demise. And how would that have been good for the community?”

Several city officials, including Mayor Andrew Goczkowski, said at Tuesday's city council meeting that they shared LGTBQ advocates' concerns about the event but said they couldn't demand that Onesti cancel any events, but he and other officials also said they'd seek to talk with Onesti about the types of events and groups the theater hosts.

There's no place for politics in a building that's publicly owned,” Goczkowski said.

Called “Out of the Echo Chamber: Coalition for Kids,” the event was open to anyone for a $5 donation. Awake Illinois' website described the event as “a diverse group of advocates (gathering) together to transform the conversation on issues affecting children.”

The speaker lineup included Jaimee Michell, founder of a group called Gays Against Groomers; Stephanie Trussell, recent Republican candidate for lieutenant governor; Shannon Adcock, founder of Awake Illinois and a leader of Moms for Liberty DuPage; and former Republican U.S. Senate candidate Matt Dubiel.

Awake has railed against suburban drag events, medical treatments for transgender youth and the state's new sex education standards, among other topics.

As he said Wednesday, Onesti in his statement Thursday said he hadn't taken sides in the controversy or the content of the event.

Onesti is active in the community. However, it's no surprise of his involvement with the Democratic Party. He protested the removal of the Columbus statutes but yet supported Democrat Mayor Lori Lightfoot and many other Democrat organizations and politicians, including one with ties to the Chicago Mob.

Onesti has ties with Pete Dicianni, owner of Dicianni Graphics and candidate for President of the Dupage County Board. Dicianni attacked the Sheriff of DuPage County, James Mendrick and his family during his campaign for supporting his opponent. Later, Dicianni endorsed Democrat Deb Conroy for DuPage County Board President. Dicianni has donated to and supported many Democrat candidates.

Democrat Pete Dicianni and Democrat Deb Conroy, Chairman of the Dupage County Board

According to records provided to the Illinois Board of Elections, Onesti donated $500.00 to Dicianni for Dupage.

Longtime Republican lawmaker and DuPage County Board member Pete DiCianni is reported to be profiting in a big way off Democratic machine politics in Chicago.

A source says that over an 18-year period beginning in 2002, the Democratic-backed Coalition for Better Government has been a frequent client of DiCianni's company, DiCianni Graphics, a graphics, and marketing communications firm, with the company receiving at least 36 payments from the including funds from former Chicago Ald. Dick Mell and Democratic state Sen. James DeLeo.

While accepting work from the Coalition for Better Government, DiCianni associated with Dominic Longo, who was convicted of voter fraud, and John “Quarters” Boyle, who served as a special event's director for the Coalition for Better Government as recently as 2002 and later spent time behind bars for using his armored truck company to steal at least $4 million, mostly in quarters, from the Illinois Tollway.

Despite his checkered past, Boyle continued to benefit from his connections, landing a City of Chicago job after being released from custody.

Mell was first elected alderman in the 33rd Ward in 1975 and was later also elected ward committeeman and vice mayor.

It's obvious that Onesti is a player for the Democratic Party. Yet just last year, he has rented out the Arcadia Theater in St. Charles to other conservatives that were candidates for office. He rented out the location to Darren Bailey and Tom Devore. He also rented the venue to Charlie Kirk for a Turning Point USA event.

All three of these individuals and their organizations support Awake Illinois. So why target this organization that came in existence for children and parental rights?

The liberal base and groups such as ANTIFA target the organization because of their Christian and conservative values, that's it. Awake is supported by tens of thousands of mothers who relate to the organization. Awake also supported numerous Republican candidates in the 2022 election cycle and now. Darren Bailey, who was endorsed by President Donald Trump, was supported by Awake Illinois and that is why they also have been targeted by these violent groups.

Onesti made claims that “bullets” were mailed to him with other threats. This is the trademark of the liberal hate organizations to stir up controversy and to place blame to conservatives.

It's sad that in 2023 racial prejudice has been reborn but now conservatives suffering the injustice. If you are a Republican, you're labeled as racist. You either become a liberal or face backlash, which includes being banned from using concert venues such as this. This is a 1st Amendment issue. I encourage Awake Illinois to sue the theater and it's owner, the City of Des Plains. I also encourage them to sue Onesti.

Furthermore, I call for all Conservatives and Republicans to boycott both venues for any events or concerts they may have. If they choose to attack conservatives and Awake Illinois, then let them lose half their business. This was their choice. The Arcadia in St. Charles and the Des Plains theater shouldn't recieve one more conservative dollar!

Val Ojeda is a Republican Author, Media Personality, Strategist and Consultant. Ojeda manages federal political campaigns also serving as President Trump's Hispanic Coalition Leader. Ojeda is also a businessman, entrepreneur and the founder of FAMA a 501c3 Chamber of Commerce. Ojeda served as law enforcement Veteran Officer/Detective.