IL Woman Murdered In Germany | Church Fights To Survive | Mall Closing

ILLINOIS — On the weekend, we present a week in review of the top stories and headlines from all across Illinois. Here's a roundup of some of the most-read stories across the state. You can also find your local Patch and catch up on those stories by clicking here.

Man Admits To Rape, Murder of Illinois Woman Near German Castle

An American man admitted in court to his role in the death of 22-year-old Eva Liu of Illinois, who was assaulted and thrown to her death while hiking near a famed German castle. Another Illinois woman, who tried to stop the attack on her friend, was seriously injured when she was also pushed off the 165-foot slope.

Closing Date Set For Suburban Mall

A mostly-vacant suburban mall has set its closing date for March 22. In a letter to the remaining tenants, mall officials announced all leases would be terminated.

133-Year-Old Suburban Church Fights To Exist, Vatican Will Decide

The church, which also owns a beloved local ballpark and is the site of highly attended summer picnics, is fighting to stay open after the bishop announced it would merge with several other parishes and will no longer be a primary parish. "If you have ever been in our church, you know how it's beautiful," a parishioner told Patch. "And it's maintained by dedicated parishioners."

School Custodian Charged With Connection To Fight Among Employees

The 46-year-old high school custodian was arrested on charges of aggravated unlawful restraint and two counts of aggravated assault following an investigation into a report of an assault between employees.

Illinois Measure Would Make Parents Abusers For Denying Children 'Gender-Affirming' Care

A suburban Democrat proposed House Bill 4876 that would amend the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act to say an “abused child” is one whose parents deny abortion services, or “gender-affirming services.”

Child Porn Charge After Police Raid Man's Home

Investigators took possession of his electronic devices, which officials say contained evidence of the crime. Investigators also discovered a hidden camera inside a bathroom of his home and unlawful recordings of other family members from that camera, according to police.

6th Gun Arrest Reported at TopGolf In Less Than 6 Months: Report

On New Year's Eve, a man was charged with unlawful use of a weapon after officers say they spotted a gun in his vehicle while it was parked at TopGolf. The early January incident marked the fifth gun-related arrest at TopGolf. The first of these recent gun incidents at TopGolf was reported in September, when a man was accused of having a loaded gun in his car.