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.

Upskirt Videos At Target Store: Ex-Church Pastor Pleads Guilty

A suburban church pastor was terminated from his role at the parish after officials learned of the charges against him. The 26-year-old, who faced deportation and attended his sentencing via Zoom from his home country, admitted to taking upskirt videos of women at the local Target store. “Jothi stated that on August 9, 2023, he went to Target to buy milk, at which time, he noticed a lady wearing ‘short clothes’ for which he has a weakness,” a detective wrote after interviewing the pastor. (He) advised that ‘her clothes would reveal things.’”

Chicago Among Worst Cities For Bed Bugs, Ranking Says

Travelers beware: Chicago was recently ranked among the top five worst cities for bed bug infestations in 2024. It’s also held onto its title of “Rattiest City” in the U.S.

Drug Overdose Rates Down In IL, CDC Says In Report

Overdose deaths in Illinois have decreased by 8.06 percent from 2022 to 2023, according to preliminary data released this week by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC officials said they still expect overdose deaths to be down when the final counts are in. It would be only the second annual decline since the current drug death epidemic began more than three decades ago.

‘Bear Down’: NFL Releases Full Schedule For 2024 Season

The 2024 schedule is out, and highlights include the Bears vs. the Titans in London in October, and Chicago taking on Detroit on Thanksgiving Day. Tickets for the London game go on sale in June.

Nurse Aide Says She ‘Probably’ Punched Woman: Cops

A suburban nursing home worker admitted she “probably” punched a resident at least once last month, saying she was frustrated with her, police said. She was under investigation after an allegation of battery against a male dementia patient at the nursing home.

Vice President Kamala Harris sought to rally Democrats — and raise money — for the upcoming election on a visit to the Chicago area Thursday.

“It’s time to roll up our sleeves,” she told a group of about 100 people at a fundraiser in north suburban Glencoe. “We are not fighting against anything, we are fighting for something.”

Harris spoke for about 15 minutes, touching on abortion rights and what’s at stake in the upcoming election.

“Every cycle, we have talked about the critical importance of the presidential election,” Harris said. “This one, I absolutely believe, is the most consequential of any we have been involved in, in recent times.”

Her appearance raised more than $670,000 for the Biden Victory Fund, according to Lauren Rosenthal, chair of Invest to Elect Illinois, which organized the event.

The Biden-Harris ticket is set to be nominated at the Democratic National Convention this summer in Chicago. During Harris’s remarks, she did not use the name of the presumptive Republican nominee, former President Donald Trump, whom Biden defeated in 2020. But Harris did allude to the “chaos” of Trump’s four years in the White House.

The event was hosted by Karen Citow, a member of Invest to Elect Illinois, and her husband, Jonathan Citow, at their Glencoe home. Guests snacked on veggie rolls and steak kebabs on a covered terrace overlooking Lake Michigan.

Harris offered a hopeful perspective on the 2024 election. “We are winning,” she said, repeatedly, citing successes for reproductive rights in state elections.

Attendees paid from $1,500 to $50,000 to attend the event, according to a copy of the invitation obtained by the Sun-Times.

“We are being challenged as Americans, to fight for our country and to realize, and if nothing made that more clear than the Dobbs decision, that we can’t take anything for granted, ever, if we’re not prepared to fight.”

Before the stop in Glencoe, Harris was in Milwaukee Thursday morning, where she spoke with small business owners as part of her Economic Opportunity Tour.

Contributing: Lynn Sweet

Chicago has so many fun things to do during this time of year. However, one spot has been crowned the “most overrated” and I have some thoughts.

I honestly wish I had the guts and money to spend more time in the Windy City. It may not seem this way to many, but I think the city has so much to experience and do. Regardless of the weather, I always hear about fun spots to check out.

Although I’ve never been to this place, I was shocked to hear it being labeled as the “most overrated tourist attraction in Illinois.” To me, it looks like a place I’d like to visit at least once.

And no… I’m NOT talking about the famous Cloud Gate!

Despite the many beliefs I’ve heard about this spot, I’d still go there! But, contrary to what many may think, it wasn’t the spot dubbed as overrated.

Most Overrated Tourist Attraction in Chicago – Navy Pier

Yep… according to Cheapsim, the famous Navy Pier has been labeled not only the most overrated tourist attraction in Chicago, but in Illinois.

This place looks like so much fun to me, so I had to go to Google Reviews to see why it might be “overrated.” Despite my interest in the spot, I can see certain people’s points.

Neat place to visit …Everything is super over priced and overcrowded… – Jory Fish

Pricing in Chicago is pretty hefty, which is a fair judgment especially if you’re bringing people or have kids.

Unique Walking Tour Unveils Chicago’s Biggest Architectural Mistakes

What do you think? Do you agree? We all know places that are certainly over-hyped, what are some of yours?