Joliet Woman's Killer Moved From Hospital To Jail Cell: Police

JOLIET, IL — The Joliet Police Department announced on Friday that 47-year-old Willie Banks of South Chicago Heights is now behind bars at the Will County Jail in connection with Wednesday night's west-side home invasion and killing of 40-year-old Alicia Cole.

She died inside her one-story house in the 1100 block of Westshire Drive.

Banks is now being charged with three counts of murder, home invasion, two counts of unlawful use of a weapon by a felon and two counts of violation of his bail/bond. Banks and Cole were in a dating relationship, Joliet Patch told Patch on Friday night.

“As your Chief of Police, I must share that my heart aches alongside the family and friends of Ms. Cole after her life was cut short by such a senseless act of violence. The swiftness with which our Officers responded to the call, identified, and apprehended the suspect responsible for this heinous act as well as the hours of work from our Detectives and Evidence Technicians serves as continued testament to the Joliet Police Department's dedication, professionalism, an unwavering commitment to public safety," Joliet Police Chief Bill Evans said in the press release. "I wish to thank the office of Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow for their assistance in this case."

In Friday night's press release, Joliet police spokesman Dwayne English said Banks was taken into custody at Cole's house.

"It was determined that he had shot and killed 40-year-old Alicia Cole after forcibly entering her home. Cole was pronounced deceased at the scene by the Will County Coroner’s Office," English said.

A handgun was recovered at the scene of the crime, English noted.

As for Banks, he was taken to Ascension St Joseph Medical Center by the Joliet Fire Department for an injury to his hand caused by breaking the front window.

After more than 24 hours at the hospital, St. Joe's discharged the first-degree murder defendant on Friday morning, and he was immediately brought to the Joliet Police Department for processing.

By supper time, Banks was booked into the Will County Jail at 5:11 p.m. It marked the fourth separate instance that Banks has been booked into county custody in 2023.

Banks was most recently detained at Will County's Jail from May 2 through May 10 for April-related criminal charges of aggravated domestic battery involving strangling, intimidation, unlawful restraint, interfering in the reporting of domestic violence, two counts of domestic battery and two counts of violating bail/bond.