NW Illinois News

State Representative Brad Fritts (R-Dixon) has ended his membership with the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce (SVACC) following changes made by the organization regarding its website and event practices. The decision comes after SVACC added a diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) statement to its website and removed references to God from the opening prayer at the “Steak Fry in the Country” scholarship fundraiser.

“Yesterday, after hearing the disappointing decisions made by the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce, I drove directly to the Chamber, discussed my concerns, and ultimately withdrew my membership,” said Fritts. “The steak fry is an annual event to raise money for scholarships and celebrate our agricultural heritage – not a time for political games.”

Fritts issued a public statement outlining his reasons for leaving SVACC. “I refuse to be complicit in initiatives that stand against our values. In our community, we evaluate our neighbors based on their merit, work ethic, and character. I am disheartened that SVACC’s actions took the spotlight away from the true focus of this event: ensuring local students receive agriculture scholarships."

He also called on SVACC leadership to reconsider its direction. “I am incredibly disappointed in the decisions made by the Sauk Valley Area Chamber of Commerce and hope management will reconsider the direction the organization has taken. We need strong leadership within our community to be laser-focused on fostering growth and helping small businesses, now more than ever.”

Fritts was elected as a Republican to represent Illinois’ 74th House District in 2023, succeeding Dan Swanson.

More information about Representative Fritts can be found at RepFritts.com.