Bradley Shooting Identification, Local Fire Investigations, & Weekend Events in Kankakee County - Friday, April 10th, 2026

In this edition of the WVLI News Update, Rob West reports on the identification of a man involved in a fatal shooting with Bradley Police earlier this week and provides the latest on the ongoing investigation. The update also covers the legal proceedings for former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan as his defense team brings a new appeal to the 7.th U.S. Circuit Court.

Listeners will get a breakdown of shifting gas prices throughout Kankakee, Iroquois, and Will counties, as well as neighboring Indiana communities. The report also highlights a fire investigation in the Braidwood Fire Protection District, updated drought conditions across the region, and recent legislative developments in Springfield regarding handgun ammunition mandates.

The episode further details a recent arrest in Chatsworth on felony charges, a fee-amnesty program at the Kankakee Public Library, and a preview of upcoming community events including local museum celebrations and scavenger hunts. The update concludes with a comprehensive look at the weekend sports schedule for the White Sox, Cubs, Bulls, and more.

Listen to the full episode for complete details on these stories and other local news developments.

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_01 0:42

Authorities have identified the man that was shot and killed by Bradley police Wednesday afternoon. Daily Journal says Coroner Bob Gessner identified the man as 34-year-old Jose Orasco of Bradley. Orasco shot and killed just before one Wednesday afternoon at a home in the 600 block of Johnette Avenue when police arrived at the house for a wellness check, and Orasco reportedly confronted them with a bladed weapon. Gessner says the preliminary cause of death was multiple gunshot wounds, but the final cause of death is yet to be determined. State police continue to investigate the shooting. The defense of former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is making a case for why his conviction on federal corruption charges should be overturned. His new legal team took their appeal to the Seventh U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals yesterday. Madigan currently serving a seven and a half year federal prison sentence after being convicted last year. Federal prosecutors claimed Madigan conspired with others to get Comed to make monetary payments to his associates in exchange for favorable legislation. One of his lawyers argued yesterday that there's no evidence that Madigan agreed to enter into a bribery conspiracy with Com Ed or took any specific official actions on the utility's behalf. The ruling will come at a later date. Gas prices down slightly. Triple A says the average cost for a gallon of regular no lead gas four dollars forty one cents across the land of Lincoln. That's a penny cheaper than it was yesterday, still more than eighty cents more expensive than it was at this time last month. Things a little cheaper in Kankakee County as well, where triple A says a gallon of gas set you back four dollars fifteen cents on average, down a penny overnight, almost seventy cents more expensive than it was at this time a month ago. Gas prices running four hundred twelve on average in Iroquois County, four hundred four in Ford County, four hundred in Will County. Across the state line, a gallon of gas set you back three ninety five on average in Newton County, four dollars seven cents on average in Benton County, four hundred three on average in Jasper County. Triple A says a gallon of gas running four dollars four cents on average across the Hoosier States. Braidwood Fire Protection District reporting a fire Wednesday in rural Custer Park. In a press release, Braidwood Fire says they were called to the fire at a large outbuilding on West Smiley Road just before 2.30 on Wednesday afternoon. When they got there, they found a heavy fire showing from the roof. Water had to be trucked in to fight the blaze. While the building was occupied when the fire broke out, there were no reported civilian injuries. One firefighter did have to be taken to the hospital for medical illnesses. The fire was put out before it was able to spread to other buildings caused the fire under investigation. Recent rains have lessened the drought concerns across the area. In fact, the latest map released Thursday by the U.S. Drought Monitor says all but the southwestern tip of Kankakee County has no drought concerns whatsoever, with only about 8% of the county listed as abnormally dry. The map lists 59% of Iroquois County as abnormally dry, the other 41% without any drought concerns at all. Ford County listed as forty-seven percent in moderate drought, the other 53% abnormally dry. Pretty much all of Grundy and Will counties have no drought concerns whatsoever. Across the state line, Newton County listed as 35% abnormally dry, rest of the county without any drought concerns. Benton County, 70% abnormally dry, Jasper County, 68% abnormally dry. Rest of both of those counties don't have any drought concerns at all. Those numbers released yesterday by the U.S. Drought Monitor include data gathered through Tuesday of this week. The spring session of Illinois legislature is underway in Springfield, last till the end of May. 106th District State Representative Jason Bunting had some news to share this week on a bill that pertains to handgun ammunition.

SPEAKER_02 4:20

A bill that would have required serial numbers to be stamped on all handgun ammunition in Illinois was stopped. House Bill 4414 would have been another costly mandate imposed on people seeking to exercise constitutional protected rights. It didn't get out of committee before the deadline to do so.

SPEAKER_01 4:39

Bunting's 106th district covers all of Iroquois County, along with parts of Ford, Grundy, LaSalle, Livingston, McLean, and Will counties. Livingston County Sheriff's Office reporting the arrest of a Chatsworth man on child pornography charges. Jake Lamore has the story.

SPEAKER_03 4:55

Rob, according to a press release, a search warrant was executed at a home in Chatsworth around 1030 Wednesday morning after detectives received a cyber tip from internet crimes against children. Over 20 child porn videos were found inside the home.

SPEAKER_01 5:21

If you've racked up late fees at the Kankakee Public Library, you have an opportunity to have those fees disappear this month. Communication strategist Chanel Robinson says the materials do have to be in good condition, though.

SPEAKER_04 5:32

All month long, any materials that someone has that were overdue, they can return as long as they're in good condition, and they will rem basically wipe out all the fees they have from them.

SPEAKER_01 5:48

Robinson added, library materials have to be returned to the circulation desk, not the drop box, in order to have those late fees waived, and you make sure you have your library card or proper ID with you. Plenty of events going on in Kankakee County this weekend with a look at a few of them. Here's Angelina Geere, Executive Director of Visit Kankakee County.

SPEAKER_00 6:07

On Saturday, head over to the Kankakee County Museum for Voices of the Community, a special event celebrating local stories, voices, and talent. Enjoy live entertainment, guest speakers, music, refreshments, and even a few prizes. All from noon until 2, and it's completely free. Then on Sunday, bring the kids out to the Chevant's American Legion for their annual Easter egg hunt kicking off at 1 p.m. It's a classic community favorite you won't want to miss. And if you're feeling a little adventurous, try the downtown Mantino Scavenger Hunt. It's a fun, interactive way to explore local shops and hidden gems, perfect for all ages and totally self-paced. Start your adventure at visit KangekeeCounty.com.

SPEAKER_01 6:49

In sports, White Sox beat the Royals 2-0 last night in Kansas City. Cubs and the Cards both had the night off. Sox are in Kansas City again tonight. Cubs start a weekend series at home against the Pirates this afternoon. The Cards host the Red Sox starting tonight. Bulls have won two in a row following last night's 119-108 win over the Washington Wizards. The Bulls host the Magic tonight. Blackhawks lost to the Hurricanes 7-2. Hawks are off tonight. They host the Blues tomorrow afternoon. Chicago Fire FC host Atlanta United tomorrow night. And NASCAR rolls into Bristol, Tennessee for the Food City 500 on Sunday. That is a look at News and Sports here on this Friday. Have a good rest of your day and a great weekend. Be safe, everybody. I'm Rob West.