No change in bond for Libertyville arson suspect

A Lake County judge on Friday refused to lower the bond of a man charged in a string of arsons and burglaries in Libertyville.

Circuit Judge Daniel Shanes would not change the $500,000 bond set for Kyle Kowal, 26. However, Shanes did design a severe set of restrictions for Kowal in the event he does come up with the $50,000 in cash he needs to get out of jail. Kowal is charged with setting two fires in attached garages, attempting to start two other fires and breaking into a restaurant, all during the early morning hours of March 26.

Waukegan defense attorney Laura Horner asked Shanes to lower her client's bond in order to allow Kowal to enter a psychological and substance abuse treatment program at a Hoffman Estates hospital.

Horner said Kowal told a probation officer preparing a background report on him that he drank six to eight beers two or three times a week, but has never been to alcohol treatment.

She said a psychologist had visited Kowal in the Lake County jail to prepare an evaluation of him. Without revealing what that evaluation was, Horner said she believed her client was in need of a “dual diagnosis” program for treatment of alcohol and psychological issues. Assistant State's Attorney Roderick Drobinski objected to changing Kowal's bond, saying Kowal is facing mandatory prison sentences of up to 30 years if convicted of aggravated arson, residential arson, residential burglary and burglary.

Drobinski said Kowal is not a stranger to the criminal justice system, having been convicted of misdemeanor theft in a 2004 case that was reduced from residential burglary, and driving under the influence of alcohol in 2006.

Court records show Kowal successfully completed one-year terms of court supervision and paid fines in both cases.

Shanes said after the arguments he was leaving the bond set at its original amount, but that Kowal would be confined to his parents' house on the 600 block of West Street if he did post the required money.

Shanes said Kowal could only leave the house to attend court, meet with his attorneys or go to treatment while on bond. He also would have to undergo testing for drug and alcohol use should he leave the jail.

Kowal, who has pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him, is scheduled to appear in court June 1.