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Des Plaines man gets 15 years for arson

A 35-year-old Des Plaines man was sentenced this week to 15 years in prison for aggravated arson, according to a Des Plaines police news release.

Richard Bilik, of the 1700 block of South White Street, was charged with felony counts of aggravated arson, residential arson and possession of explosives for setting off an explosive device that injured three men at a Des Plaines apartment complex on the 1700 block of East Oakton Street on Jan. 16, 2010, police said.

The explosion occurred around 11:10 p.m. The device had been placed at the door to an apartment, causing substantial damage to the entryway, scattering debris about 100 feet and damaging the interior of the apartment and windows of nearby apartments, according to police.

Bilik had phone contact with the victims before the explosion, police said.

Bilik’s bail at the time was set at $3 million because of his long criminal history, mostly involving burglaries. He was on parole at the time of the 2010 arson.

A jury found him guilty of aggravated arson on July 7.

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