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- January 20 Newsletter: TikTok ban reaction in the Tri-Cities
January 20 Newsletter: TikTok ban reaction in the Tri-Cities
Plus a new grilled cheese shop opens in Batavia and Kane County celebrates its 189th birthday.
Sam Kraft
January 20, 2025 • Estimated Reading Time: 13 minutes
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📲 TikTok in the Tri-Cities
Given the breakneck speed at which the TikTok situation is evolving, the landscape may have changed a bit by the time you’re reading this (I pre-scheduled this newsletter on Sunday).
Late Saturday night, TikTok went offline in compliance with a federal law banning the app. After about 14 hours, it was back online Sunday afternoon. NBC News has been posting live updates for those interested.
This little piece, however, is focused on local sentiment. Thursday’s newsletter poll question about TikTok use produced some clear takeaways:
Okay with the ban: Most respondents do not feel tied to the app, with more than 80% indicating that they never use it.
Mixed opinions: Those who do use it vary significantly in their habits, from occasional lighthearted video viewers to those seeking connection and even self-professed addicts.
Losing something vital: For a small but vocal minority, TikTok is far more than an entertainment platform. It’s a key tool for building businesses, fostering creativity and connecting with audiences in ways that other platforms simply don’t offer.
A spectrum of perspectives
A significant number of respondents cited apprehensions about TikTok’s ownership, data practices, content and addictive nature. Comments included:
“Because it is Chinese-owned, I don’t feel comfortable engaging with it. I don’t want them tracking anything I do.”
“I’ve seen the hypnotic effect of it (and other social media), and I’m glad I never started using it.”
“Nonsense, vapid, pointless, boring. I’m too busy for more social media.”
Others seem to have minor concerns, but acknowledge its entertainment value. Some older readers suggested that while they have no interest, they understand that the app is appealing to younger people.
A small but passionate group highlighted TikTok’s importance as a tool for business, learning and creative connection.
“TikTok is not just dancing. It is unfiltered connection and communication with everyday Americans and people around the globe that you would never encounter otherwise. It’s exposure to people, places, knowledge and experiences you would not be aware of otherwise. Countless lives have been changed by having access to a real platform to share their stories and crowdfunding initiatives.”
Entrepreneurship in action
A few respondents shared how the platform has shaped their livelihoods, expressing deep concerns about what a ban might mean for them and their businesses.
“I started a 3D printing business on TikTok Shop at the end of 2023, just to show my son the steps it takes to become an entrepreneur. To my surprise, our shop took off rapidly, and our sales on TikTok in 2024 far exceeded my expectations. If TikTok gets banned, our shop will suffer greatly, as we will have to look to other platforms to sell on. As of now, nothing comes close to the amount of exposure we received there.”
The uncertainty of this period has created difficulties for those who have come to rely on the platform for income — and for discovering and sharing ideas with like-minded individuals.
“Not only do I use TikTok as an influencer, but I also use it for a community of people. Sharing a passion for something with so many people is so special, and that is getting ripped away from me,” one such respondent said. “I also know multiple people that have their own personal shops where TikTok is their main source of income. Now they are scrambling to figure out if they have to close down their small businesses.”
For these users, TikTok represents not just opportunity, but connection, creativity, and the chance to thrive in ways other platforms simply can’t match.
“My feed has been filled with folks tearfully saying goodbye, the future of their businesses and individual ventures a big unknown,” Callahan said. “The repercussions of cutting off this virtual community haven't been considered like they should.”
Hopefully, this shed some light for you on the wide-ranging viewpoints concerning TikTok and the potential impact of a ban — both locally and nationally.
If you want to better understand the Supreme Court’s reasoning in upholding the law, check out this deep dive.
📰 News to use
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☑️ Hoosier heist: Indiana is looking to capitalize on Illinois' urban-rural divide with a bill inviting disgruntled counties to switch states, citing our easterly neighbor as a “low-tax, low-cost” alternative to the Land of Lincoln.
☑️ Voter prep: Kane County has released information about its 2025 schedule for the February 25 primary (Aurora) and April 1 consolidated elections (all of Kane County), including key dates for early voting and vote by mail resources.
☑️ Trustee tension: The Campton Hills Village Board voted to censure one of its trustees (🔒) for allegedly leaking confidential information and creating a hostile environment (allegations she denies). Here’s a list of infractions with her responses.
☑️ Sex offender: The 24-year-old man who impregnated a resident of Marklund Home in Geneva pled guilty to criminal sexual abuse of a victim with a "severe or profound intellectual disability.”
☑️ Research milestone: Batavia’s Fermilab has completed a key phase of its PIP-II accelerator upgrade, a noteworthy step in its groundbreaking neutrino research that could reveal truths about matter, life and some of the universe’s biggest mysteries.
☑️ New state flag: Following mixed public reaction to the Illinois flag design competition, flag connoisseurs shared their thoughts on the finalists. Residents can vote for their favorite through 2/14.
🏡 Use Chris’s home valuation tool to learn what your home is worth.
🏘️ In the community
☑️ Storied history: Kane County just celebrated its 189th birthday, marking nearly two centuries of evolution from pioneer trails and tavern courthouses to a thriving modern community shaped by a rich culture and rapid population growth.
☑️ Constructive feedback: Geneva is requesting that residents and visitors fill out a quick community survey about the downtown area that will help guide how it spends grant money on development projects and other improvements.
☑️ Grab your spot: Applications are now being accepted for Batavia’s 2025 Outdoor Farmers’ Market and its monthly Artisan Collective pop-up experience.
☑️ Viking legends: Geneva High School will induct three former sports stalwarts into its Athletic Hall of Fame during a home varsity boys basketball game on Saturday (1/25). Learn more about the athletes and their accomplishments.
☑️ It’s cold, folks: Now that we’re dealing with another polar vortex, here’s an expert breakdown on the weather phenomenon linking the Arctic with our region — plus info on where to find warming centers throughout Kane County.
☑️ Graveyard care: A Campton Township Cemetery District referendum will ask voters to approve a tax rate increase to fund maintenance and preserve its historic cemeteries.
🎸 Live music
PRESENTED BY PRESERVATION
💥 See all of Preservation’s upcoming events
The latest early-week music lineup is highlighted by the Batavia All-City Jazz Concert at the Batavia Fine Arts Centre on Tuesday.
👋 Pssst…advertise here!
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🛍️ Local biz
📸 Credit: Everdine’s Grilled Cheese on Facebook
☑️ Cheesy delights: After originally planning for a spring/summer 2023 opening, Everdine’s Grilled Cheese is finally open on Wilson Street in downtown Batavia. They also have a Naperville location.
☑️ Project pivot: Geneva's award-winning restaurant Niche plans to explore alternative expansion options after losing the opportunity to lease an adjacent space.
☑️ Vino education: Local wine enthusiasts may want to check out the College of DuPage Wine Appreciation and Knowledge program, which features courses on wine tasting, global wine regions and varieties. Classes begin on 1/27.
🗞️ Un-classifieds
☑️ Local home sales: See recent property sales for Kane County — including this $1.1M house on 7th Street in St. Charles. Also, in “news I didn’t expect,” Realtor.com reports that Rockford is the hottest housing market in the country.
☑️ Local obits: Recent obituaries posted by Tri-Cities funeral homes.
☑️ City meetings:
(Tuesday 1/21)
Wednesday (1/22): Batavia Public Hearing on the South River Street Moratorium
☑️ Police reports: Batavia police report summaries | Geneva police reports
🗓️ Events & Things to Do
The 🎟️ symbol indicates an admission fee.
☑️ Kids Eat Free All Day | Mon 1/20 | Chicken Salad Chick, Batavia | Free meals and winter crafts for kids.
☑️ Children, Gardening & Nature | Tues 1/21, 6:45-9PM | Batavia Public Library | Local photographer April Duda is the featured speaker for this Batavia Plain Dirt Gardeners event.
☑️ Geneva Community Connects | Wed 1/22, 10AM or 7PM | Geneva Public Library | Discuss Geneva 304 and hear about the newly developed Strategic Plan.
🎟️ Tenuta Torciano Wine School & Dinner | Wed 1/22, 6:30PM | Rock N Ravioli | Enjoy Italian wines, olive oils and balsamic vinegar with the experts themselves.
🎟️ Moonlight Comedy Night | Fri 1/24, 7PM | Moonlight Theatre | Three performers, one night of fun!
📖 Thanks for reading
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