Robert Herguth

Whether those loans, totaling around $8.5 million, were factors in the government shutdown of Metropolitan Bank & Trust in January remains unclear.

Church officials say they are not trying “to influence the content” of John Dehlin's long-running “Mormon Stories” audio-video podcast, which has been deeply critical of the Utah-based institution. While they insist the lawsuit is about copyright and trademark infringement, Dehlin suspects otherwise, saying: “It appears like the intent is to harm us, harm our reputation and bankrupt us.”

Wade Christofferson, a former member and leader of a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints congregation in the Chicago area, is accused of molesting two children in a pending federal case in Ohio. A judge recently ordered that he stay in jail pending trial. A prosecutor revealed authorities…

Two men have each asked a judge to impose a “no stalking” order on the other, amid allegations of threats. While the men live in the same North Side neighborhood and are both part of the Orthodox community, where one is a rabbi, this is not a typical neighbor dispute. At the root of the case: how Jewish leaders handle allegations of child sex abuse.

Burke's campaign funds collectively hold more than $10 million. Recently, two local political figures received money from the funds, including Burke's former City Council colleague, Ald. Ray Lopez, who accepted $10,000.

Often it's for fundraisers or meetings, or as a thank-you to election volunteers. But it's sometimes difficult to know whether political figures are living high on the hog off their campaign funds, which isn't allowed.

And they may be dropping not only in the Chicago region, but throughout Illinois, the Midwest and much of the country. Experts say it's another sign that many birds in North America are in trouble.

Johnson's comptroller Michael Belsky worked for EKI-Digital as it was pushing City Hall to pay nearly $10 million in questionable invoices. Johnson's former chief operating officer John Roberson also once worked for the company and was part of a city review of EKI amid billing concerns.

Local residents feared Blackjacks Gentlemen's Club would become a crime magnet when Kane County regulators awarded the business a liquor license. While there's been just one reported arrest since then by sheriff's police, it was ugly — with the suspect allegedly threatening staff amid a dispute over the lap dance and later tussling with cops.

The $250 contribution to Friends of Brandon Johnson was given by Robert Blackwell Jr. in 2025 as the inspector general was investigating his technology company, EKI-Digital, and a questionable $9.6 million bill it wanted Chicago taxpayers to pay.