Alleged 'doomsday cult' quietly grows locally
Good morning, Chicago. ✶
???? Below: A religious group that has been quietly expanding in the Chicago region rejects the "cult" label, but a number of ex-congregants say the organization has falsely predicted the end of the world and isolated members from nonbelieving friends and family, among other disturbing accusations.
????️ Plus: More police Paycheck Protection Program fraud, "the end" for Volumes Bookcafe and more news you need to know.
???? Keeping score: The Blackhawks got burned by the Flames, 3-1.
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⏱️: An 8-minute read
TODAY’S WEATHER ????️
Cloudy with a chance of snow and a high near 36.
TODAY’S TOP STORY ????
Religious group some ex-members describe as a ‘cult’ sees its footprint grow in Chicago area
By Robert Herguth
'Doomsday cult': A religious organization described by some former members as a "doomsday cult" has been quietly expanding in the Chicago region in recent years, with at least four churches now in the suburbs, a site in the Loop and local charitable events such as blood drives that obscure the controversy dogging the group.
The dogma: Called the World Mission Society Church of God, the organization was founded in South Korea in the 1960s and teaches that a Korean man who died in 1985 and was known as Christ Ahnsahnghong was the second coming of Jesus. A South Korean woman, Zahng Gil-jah, is also regarded as divine by the faith.
The allegations: While the group identifies as Christian and publicly preaches love and volunteerism, court records and various ex-members portray it as a money-fueled operation that has falsely predicted the end of the world, helped isolate members from nonbelieving friends and relatives, arranged marriages for congregants, and at times pressured pregnant members to get abortions.
ANALYSIS ✶
Mayor Johnson’s budget defeat, other challenges threaten reelection chances
By Fran Spielman
Beyond budget: Just more than a year before the 2027 mayoral election, Brandon Johnson is in danger of becoming a one-term mayor — and his defeat in the most recent battle over City Hall’s 2026 budget is only one reason why.
Tumultuous term: The coalition of progressive unions that helped put him in office remains fractured. His tax-the-rich agenda has produced more rhetoric than results. Animosity lingers from tactics the Chicago Teachers Union used to intimidate alderpersons who rejected Johnson’s proposed corporate head tax.
At odds with Alds: The mayor’s relationship with an emboldened City Council has never been more strained, nor has the trust between Johnson and alderpersons been so diminished.
And also: Johnson’s public approval ratings remain stuck in the mid-20s. And his campaign war chest has a scant $1 million, even as his own political director says $13 million will be needed to bankroll the uphill battle for a second term.
SMALL BUSINESS ????
Volumes Bookcafe in Wicker Park prepares to close
By Amy Yee
Turning the page: After nearly 10 years, Volumes Bookcafe in Wicker Park is set to close at the end of the month. Local authors and patrons have been paying tribute to the independent bookstore and praising its owners, sisters Rebecca and Kimberly George, in the business's last days.
Declining sales: The Georges announced plans to shutter the store in November, citing sustained sales struggles following the COVID-19 pandemic, rising interest rates and health care costs, and the nearby opening of a Barnes & Noble in 2024.
Key quote: Rebeca George says she is uncertain about what she’ll do next but hopes to stay connected to Chicago’s book community. "I don’t have all of the solutions, but I know that if everyone advocates for their neighbors with their choices, that is a much better world to live in," she said.
MORE NEWS YOU NEED ????️
- Remembering Rick Garcia: A longtime activist who helped strengthen the gay community’s voice and successfully pushed for local gay rights, Mr. Garcia died Monday at age 69.
- More PPP fraud: Three more Chicago Police Department employees, including a sergeant, face firing for fraudulently obtaining federal pandemic Paycheck Protection Program loans.
- Teen charged in shooting: An 18-year-old man is facing attempted murder charges in a Tuesday shooting near a Little Village elementary school that critically injured a man and caused a crash, police said.
- More time for Bally’s?: State Rep. Kam Buckner (D-Chicago) introduced a bill that could extend Bally’s license to operate its temporary casino at Medinah Temple until September 2027. That would give Bally’s more time to open its $1.7 billion casino complex in River West.
- Policing public transit: Transit leaders could vote to create a regional transit police force next January, and new "transit ambassadors" could be monitoring the CTA, Metra and Pace by July next year. By this November, there should be a regional transit app to file complaints and report crimes.
- After incarceration: Women released from prison will get help "rebuilding" their lives through Chicago’s first reentry support center in Pilsen, which will offer help with securing housing, employment assistance, mental services, family reunification support and legal advocacy.
- Foundry Park plan advances: A new vision for the development of old industrial land along the Chicago River on the North Side cleared a hurdle Thursday by winning approval from the agency that advises the City Council on major projects.
IMMIGRATION ✶
- Case on thin ice: The U.S. Justice Department’s case against a man accused of offering $10,000 for the murder of U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino appeared to be on shaky ground Thursday after a federal judge barred crucial testimony about Chicago street gangs.
- New blitz suit: The federal judge who restricted immigration agents’ use of tear gas and called out Bovino for lying under oath will preside over the new lawsuit filed by Illinois and Chicago accusing the Trump administration of an illegal "occupation" of the city.
FROM THE PRESS BOX ????????⚾
- Ex-players charged in scheme: A bombshell federal indictment unsealed Thursday covers a widespread betting scheme to rig NCAA and Chinese Basketball Association games and ensnares 26 people, including three former DePaul players and ex-Bulls player Antonio Blakeney.
- Early stadium steps: The Bears hailed Indiana politicians taking the first step to create the Northwest Indiana Stadium Authority as a "significant milestone" in the team’s discussions to build a home stadium across state lines.
- New Sox: The White Sox have opened an international signing period, signing nine position players and nine pitchers.
- Bulls ready to make moves: Arturas Karnisovas hasn’t always been the easiest suit to deal with when it comes to other organizations looking to talk trade. That’s changed the last year, but will the direction of this roster change?
CHICAGO MINI CROSSWORD ????
Today's clue: 2D: ParkChicago machine
BRIGHT ONE ????
Whether you’re cold or sick, Chicago has a soup for that
By Maggie Hennessy
It’s a winter craving, to be sure. But a hot bowl of soup also represents a nearly universal balm for the sick, homesick or hungover that’s totally unique to each person.
Whether your preferred liquid comfort veers toward allspice-scented Afro-Caribbean fish stews, golden chicken soup, pepper-laced, Indian drinking broth or earthy borsch, Chicago has a soup for that.
As we traverse the long dark months of post-holiday winter amid surging flu cases, we've built a list of soups from local eateries to revive the worn-out body or soul.
YOUR DAILY QUESTION ☕️
What's your favorite bookstore in Chicago? Tell us why.
Email us your answer (please include your first and last name). We may run your answers in a future newsletter or story.
On Thursday, we asked you: Whether homemade or your favorite on the menu, what is your go-to cold weather dish?
Here's some of what you said:
"The French onion soup at Wilde and Lady Gregory's. Yum!."— Carol Bryant
"Pasta fagioli at LaScarola is the best ever."— P. Teodo
"Hot & spicy chili! Has to be my homemade chili. It's a nutritious comfort meal with protein. Dried pinto beans, added canned beans, any type of ground meat, tomatoes, beef broth, veggies and spices."— Janet Crawford
"Matzoh ball-kreplach noodle soup."— Scott Chasen
"Lohikeito — a salmon, dill [and] cream soup. Warm, flavorful. If it keeps the Finns warm, it's good enough for Chicago."— Dave Kraft
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Written and curated by: Matt Moore
Editor: Eydie Cubarrubia
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