Judge Denies Bond Reduction in Arson Case

A Lake County judge has denied bond reduction for Kyle Kowal, who is accused of setting fire to two homes and attempting to set fire to two other homes in Libertyville on March 24.

Kowal, 26, of the 600 block of West St., appeared in court before Judge Daniel Shanes Friday for a bond hearing. His attorney, Laura Horner, requested the judge reduce the $500,000 bond because Kowal is a low-flight risk and needs to attend outpatient treatment at a center in Hoffman Estates for alcohol abuse.

“This is the first major crime he is up on,” Horner told Shanes said during the hearing. “He does not have a large income and it’s your job to balance and promote the accused coming back to court with his ability to post bond and mental status.”

No one was injured in the two fires, but three homes were damaged. The attempted arsons resulted in minor damages. Kowal is also accused of burglarizing the Picnic Basket Restaurant, 501 N. Milwaukee Ave., during the early hours of March 24.

Lake County Assistant States Attorney Rod Drobinski, however, argued that Kowal’s bail should not be lowered because he poses a threat to the community. Kowal is charged with three counts of aggravated arson, three counts of residential arson, one count of arson and three counts of burglary, according Drobinski.

Drobinski told the judge that Kowal has confessed to setting the fires in writing.

In addition, Drobinski asked the judge to consider the seriousness of the crime. If convicted of all charges, Kowal could face up to 30 years in prison. 

“Taking into account the totality of the circumstances it appears that you can post bond as it stands,” Shanes said during the court hearing. “While this is certainly the first case of this magnitude that you have ever been charged with—this is not your first case …. Based upon everything I’ve heard at this juncture, the bond is not going to be reduced, the bond will stand.”

Shanes said if Kowal is able to post bond, he would be placed on a 24-hour curfew at his parents home except for work, attorney visits and treatment. In addition, Kowal would not be able to make contact with the victims or the business he is accused of burglarizing.

Kowal is the son of Libertyville Village Clerk Sally Kowal, and Conrad “Connie” Kowal, director of recreation and sports complex for Libertyville.

“Today, you have a lot of trust to rebuild with your parents, because whatever unfolds in this case, I’d have to think that as a parent the day your child gets arrested, there’s some trust issues that you have to address,” Shanes told Kowal during the hearing.

Kowal is scheduled to appear in court on June 1. His trial date has been set for June 13.