September 18, 2025

State’s Attorney Glasgow Announces Banks Sentenced to 70 Years in Prison for Fatal Shooting of Girlfriend

JOLIET— Will County State’s Attorney James Glasgow announces that Willie Banks, 49 of Chicago Heights, was sentenced Tuesday by Judge Thomas Slazyk to 70 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections for the First-Degree Murder of Alicia Cole. The 70-year sentence follows a jury trial that began on July 21, 2025 and concluded July 28, 2025 with the jury returning a guilty verdict within 45 minutes of deliberating.

On the evening of December 13, 2023, the victim, Alicia Cole was in her home located at 1106 Westshire Drive in Joliet when the defendant broke in through a window. In a harrowing 911 call, the victim could be heard screaming for help as the defendant shot her through the bathroom door. When officers from the Joliet Police Department arrived on scene, the defendant was observed at the residence and admitted to shooting Alicia Cole with whom he was in a relationship and described to officers as his wife. At the time the defendant committed the murder, he was out on bond for several cases in which Alicia Cole was a victim including Aggravated Domestic Battery, Witness Intimidation, and Violation of Bail Bond.

“Bank’s deplorable actions are clear evidence of an abandoned and malignant heart.” Glasgow said. “There is no sentence that could bring justice. He will have plenty of time to reflect on his vicious actions while staring at the cold, dark walls of his prison cell.”

Banks sentence will be served at 100 percent. He will receive 665 days credit for time served and will also serve three years mandatory supervised release.

Glasgow thanked Assistant State’s Attorneys Sarah West, Jonathan Watson, Victim Witness Advocate Alicia Banks, Administrative Assistants Nancy Nelson and Nancy Darin, IT Specialist Robert Valiska, and the Joliet Police Department for their hard work and dedication in this matter.

###