Kankakee Arson Arrest, CSL Donation, and Bears Stadium Updates - Thursday, April 2nd, 2026

In this edition of the WVLI News Update, Rob West covers a series of developing stories impacting the Kankakee and Iroquois County areas. The update begins with details regarding a recent arrest made by the Kankakee City Police following an investigation into an alleged arson and home invasion on North Greenwood Avenue.

The program also highlights a significant financial contribution from CSL to the Emergency Response Fund, aimed at assisting those affected by recent severe weather events. Listeners will hear about a new statewide initiative from the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois Tollway to honor fallen Illinois State Police officers with a standardized memorial program.

Additional reports include:

• Emergency response details from a semi-truck rollover in Grant Park and an electrical fire in Bourbonnais.
• A report on a firefighter injury sustained during a brush and structure fire in Pembroke Township.
• An update on the Kankakee County State’s Attorney internship program milestone.
• A breakdown of the sharp increase in gas prices across Illinois and Indiana.
• Comments from Chicago Bears Chairman George McCaskey regarding the team’s potential stadium relocation.

The episode concludes with a comprehensive sports update, covering the latest results for the Cubs, White Sox, Bulls, and upcoming tournament games for Illinois State and the Fighting Illini.

Listen to the full episode for the complete report and in-depth details on these local and regional headlines.

Listen to more great shows on the WVLI Podcast Network:

This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)

Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)

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Transcript

SPEAKER_02 0:42

Kankakee City Police have made an arrest in connection with Tuesday morning's alleged arson at a home on North Greenwood Avenue. In a press release, City Police say 24-year-old Nazari S. Hill turned herself in Tuesday afternoon. City police say their investigation found that Hill had been in a relationship with a 35-year-old man who lives at the home in the 800 block of North Evergreen Avenue. Hill allegedly forced her way into the home, found the victim with another woman. The two reportedly fought, and during the fight, Hill allegedly doused the victim with lighter fluid and tried to set him on fire. The man ran. Hill then allegedly set fire to the detached garage. Damage thought to be around$40,000 with a loss of vehicles at about$30,000. Hill has been charged with attempted murder, arson, and home invasion. CSL has made a large donation to the Emergency Response Fund for Kankakee and Iroquois counties. In a press release, the biopharmaceutical giant says that they made the$100,000 donation to the fund started by the United Way and the Community Foundation of the Kinkakee River Valley in an effort to help those affected by the March 10th tornado and hailstorm. The fund is available to those with urgent needs like emergency supplies and temporary support services, as well as helping with the long-term recovery efforts to rebuild the community. State of Illinois honoring every Illinois State Police officer killed in the line of duty. Over the next several months, IDOT and the Illinois Tollway will erect signs for all the fallen ISP officers. The new signs will be standardized with a uniform look. Since the agency began providing services April 1st, 2022, 73 ISP officers have died in the line of duty. Grant Park police and fire called to the gas station in the 300 block of South Main Street Wednesday afternoon that after a semi rolled over onto its side. In a Facebook post, Grant Park Fire says the semi-driver was trying to negotiate a curve when the semi and its trailer tipped. No injuries were reported. Bourbon A Fire Protection District firefighters called to a small fire Wednesday afternoon. Chief Jim Keener says firefighters called to the home on the 2600 block of Sportsman's Club Road, found an electrical fire contained in the wall. No injuries reported. Fire cost about$5,000 worth of damage to the home. Kiki County State's Attorney Jim Rowe says his office recently celebrated a milestone with their volunteer internship program.

SPEAKER_01 3:08

On day one as State's attorney, I formalized our internship program. And thanks to the strong leadership of Jody Trudeau, we've now had over 119 interns walk through our doors since 2016. And these young men and women haven't just observed the work, they've actually contributed to real cases, supported victims, helped us connect with the community, and they've definitely made this office stronger every single day.

SPEAKER_02 4:07

Across the state line, gallon of gas set you back$3.85 on average in Newton County.$406 in Benton County,$4 on average in Jasper County. Triple A says gallon of gas running$3.94 on average across the Hoosier States. A firefighter was injured while battling a blaze Tuesday morning in Pembroke Township. Pembroke Township Fire Protection District Chief Mark Baines says they were called to 7,000 Southeast Road just before 5 30 Tuesday morning for a brush and structure fire. When they got there, firefighters found the fire had spread from brush onto old cars on the property, as well as a garage, trailer, and truck. One firefighter fell into a hole and broke his leg. Chief Baines says that person is recovering at home. Chicago Bears chairman George McCaskey says he doesn't think moving the team to Indiana will push fans away. Speaking at an NFL annual meeting yesterday in Phoenix, McAveske said he doesn't think in the end it's going to matter to people, citing the Giants and Jets relocations to New Jersey.

SPEAKER_00 5:09

Whether we go to Arlington Park or to Hammond, there is going to be an adjustment period. People are going to have to be allowed some time to get used to it. I think Bears fans are up to it.

SPEAKER_02 5:30

In sports, Cubs beat the Angels 6-2 yesterday at Wrigley Field. Cubs are off today. They visit the Guardians tomorrow. Sox lost 10-0 to the Marlins. The Sox home opener originally scheduled for today has been postponed until tomorrow. Cards beat the Mets 2-1 in 11 innings. The Cards are off tonight. The Bulls on a five-game losing streak following last night's 145-126 loss to the Pacers. The Bulls visit the Knicks tomorrow night. Blackhawks visit the Oilers tonight. Illinois State takes on Auburn tonight in the NIT tournament. Finding a line eye faces UConn Saturday night in the NCAA tournament. That is look at News and Sports here on this Thursday. Have a good rest of your day. Be safe, everybody. I'm Rob West.