Federal Charges in Momence Murder Case and Kankakee County Disaster Relief Updates - Thursday, April 16th, 2026

In this edition of the WVLI News Update, Rob West reports on new legal developments as an Indiana man faces federal charges in connection with the February death of Momence bar owner Courtney Drysdale. The update explores the specific nature of the federal indictment and the history behind the investigation.

The program also provides critical information for Kankakee County residents and business owners navigating the aftermath of the March 10th storms. Representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration outline the documentation needed to apply for low-interest disaster loans before the upcoming April deadline, while Animal Control Director Carrie Laird shares updates on pet food donations for those in the Aroma Park area.

Kankakee County Sheriff Mike Downey joins the update to discuss public safety trends, highlighting a decrease in fatal crashes following specific infrastructure changes at local intersections. He also issues a 24-hour patrol alert and a call for vigilance regarding suspicious activity in storm-damaged neighborhoods.

Additional coverage includes:

• Planned $6 million renovations for the 21st Judicial Circuit courthouse.
• Important eligibility warnings from Governor Pritzker’s office regarding SNAP benefits and upcoming work requirements.
• Details on the Tulip Gala at the Kankakee Country Club.
• Deadlines for the hazardous waste drop-off event hosted by State Representative Jackie Haas.
• A full sports wrap-up, including the season finale for the Chicago Blackhawks.

For the full details on these local stories and specific instructions on how to access available community resources, listen to the complete episode.

Listen to more great shows on the WVLI Podcast Network:

This One Time in Kankakee  (Narrative Storytelling)

Kankakee Valley Community Happenings  (Businesses & Non-Profits)

The voices you trust, beyond the dial. 

Transcript

SPEAKER_05 0:00

The Indiana man accused of killing Moments bar owner Courtney Drysdale in February now faces federal charges. Julius Burks, Jr. has been indicted on charges of obstruction of commerce by robbery, murder, and possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon. Authorities say Burks shot and killed Drysdale at the line bar on Route 114 in Moments on February the second. Burks had worked at the bar with Drysdale when it was operated under a different ownership between 2017 and 2019. He was fired after she reported that he'd been stealing from the business. The U.S. Small Business Administration has three disaster relief centers set up throughout Kankakee County where business owners, nonprofits, and residents can go to apply for low-interest disaster relief loans to help pay for the damage caused by the March 10th storms. DJ Jakela from the SBA tells us what kind of documents you need to take along with you.gov slash disaster. During Wednesday morning's meeting of the Kankakee County Board's Criminal Justice Committee, committee members heard from Animal Control Director Carrie Laird on the fallout from the tornado for animal control.

SPEAKER_02 1:36

We didn't get a lot of stray animals that came through our building. I think that the Sheriff's Department and the National Weather Service did a good job in getting the word out that a tornado was coming. And so I think that people took their animals into the basements or hit with them and they were protected that way. So we did get a couple of strays from fences blowing down and things like that.

SPEAKER_05 1:51

Laird added that four pallets of pet food were donated to animal control for those in the Aroma Park area that need food for their pets. She said that you can stop by the office on Mooney Drive weekdays 8 30 till 4 if you were affected by the storm and need food for your pets. During a Wednesday morning's meeting of the Kankakee County Board's Criminal Justice Committee, Kankakee County Sheriff Mike Downey noted fatal crashes are down in the county so far this year.

SPEAKER_07 2:15

I think that's due to two key issues. We had a problematic intersection at 12,000 north and Route 50. There were numerous serious accidents there, fatal accidents. And with the assistance of Senator Joyce and Representative Haas, there's now a four-way stop. Uh it's reduced serious accidents to virtually none.

SPEAKER_05 2:38

Downey added that since the four-way stop was put in, there have only been just a few fender bender type accidents at that intersection. Sheriff Downey went on to say that the next problematic intersection in the county is 12,000 north and route one.

SPEAKER_07 2:50

And I'm happy to report that there are now rumble strips that were put down on the east-west roads, which we tried to get three years ago. And we were made aware that they are now going to also place a four-way stop there by the end of April.

SPEAKER_05 3:05

Downey pointed out that there's also talk of reworking that intersection, but said that might not happen for several years. Local businesses and nonprofits, not the only ones that can apply for low-interest loans through the U.S. Small Business Administration to help pay for the damage caused by the storms of early March. DJ Jaquelov of the SBA says homeowners and renters are eligible as well.

SPEAKER_04 3:27

Homeowners are eligible for two categories: the physical damage to their home up to $500,000. And then an additional $100,000 to replace the actual items that were in the physical structure that was damaged. And that can also include their primary vehicle. Renters are eligible for the $100,000 for replacing their physical items, as well as if they um wanted to um replace their primary vehicle up to their $100,000 amount.

SPEAKER_05 3:57

Jekila added interest on the SBA loans don't begin to accrue and payments aren't due until 12 months after the date of the first loan disbursement. Some loans have terms up to 30 years. You can visit three SBA disaster relief centers in Kankakee County, one in the village of Aroma Park, one at the Kankakee Train Depot, the other at Northfield Square Mall, up until Saturday, April the twenty-fifth. A rents learn Indiana man arrested Sunday after he allegedly bit a police officer. Jake Lamore has the story.

SPEAKER_01 4:52

He was then transported to the hospital for medical treatment, where he allegedly bit an officer's finger. Picard has been charged with a battery against a public safety official, two counts of intimidation, among other charges. I'm Jake Clamore.

SPEAKER_05 5:06

During Wednesday morning's meeting of the Kankakee County Board's Criminal Justice Committee, the committee got an update from 21st Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Bill Dickinson on planned courthouse renovations. Judge Dickinson said that he and his staff would be working to make sure things go as smoothly as possible during the renovations, which include reworking the building's HVAC system and renovations to courtrooms. The renovations expected to cost some six million dollars being paid for by the State of Illinois. Wright in Kankakee, hosting the Tulip Gala this Saturday. Marketing Coordinator Taylor Ludden McMaster tells us about it.

SPEAKER_00 6:11

For tickets and more information, go to Wright1900.org slash events.

SPEAKER_05 6:16

During a Wednesday morning's meeting of the Kankakee County Board's Criminal Justice Committee, County Sheriff Mike Downey reminded residents in the area affected by last month's tornado to contact his office if you see something suspicious in the area.

SPEAKER_07 6:40

We are literally right there in Roma Park. We have had a couple of reports of people who have been out there taking advantage of people who are not at their residence because it's uh uninhabitable. And we would encourage everybody to keep an eye out and call the sheriff's office. Call 911 if you have to, you know, because we don't want people to suffer any more than they already have.

SPEAKER_05 7:03

And Downey added, deputies are on patrol in the affected area twenty-four hours a day. Governor J.B. Pritzker's office warning that a hundred fifty thousand Illinoisans are at risk of losing federal food assistance next month. Pritzker says residents who rely on SNAP can use the state's screener tool to confirm if their benefits are at risk. Participated in a training program, or volunteered a minimum of 80 hours per month starting February 1st, and are 18 to 64 years old, don't have children under the age of 14, and are able-body and aren't eligible for an exemption. If you've been wanting to get rid of some old paint or other hazardous waste, you're in luck. 79th District State Representative Jackie Haas hosting a hazardous waste drop-off event this Saturday, 8 in the morning till 3 in the afternoon.

SPEAKER_03 7:54

That is in conjunction with the Kankakee Fire Department, the City of Kankakee, and the Illinois EPA. We are taking appointments for that, um, are certainly encouraging that. So folks can sign up on my website at Rephaas.com.

SPEAKER_05 8:10

Representative Haas says registrations will be ending today. She talks about some of the things that you'll be able to drop off at the event.

SPEAKER_03 8:17

Those would include oil-based paint. Use motor oil, paint centers, um herbicides and lawn chemicals, um, insecticides, household batteries, latex paint, pesticides, just to name a few. But there is a full list on the website if you want to take a look there.

SPEAKER_05 8:34

Again, registration for the event ends today. Drop off will be at the Kankakee Public Works Department parking lot, 401 West Oak Street in Kankakee. You can contact Haas office for more information. In sports, Cubs beat the Phillies Wednesday, 11-2, to take that series two games to one. Cubs are off today. They face the Mets for the weekend starting tomorrow. White Sox lost 8-3 to the Rays yesterday. They tried to salvage a game of that series this afternoon. St. Louis Cardinals beat the Guardians 5-3. The Cards off today. They visit Houston starting tomorrow. And the Blackhawks wrapped up their 2025-26 season with a 5 2 win over the San Jose Sharks. Hawks finished this year in last place in the Central Division with 72 points. That is a check of news and sports here on this Thursday. Have a good rest of your day. Be safe, everybody. I'm Rob West.