Excerpts from the ChicagoTribune.com:

Kenneth Kauppi, a former Winthrop Harbor firefighter pleaded not guilty Thursday to attempted first-degree murder for allegedly setting a house fire this summer when he knew the residence was occupied by his aunt. He is being held in the County Jail with his bail set at $1 million.

The charges are related to Kauppi allegedly setting fire to the home of his 70-year-old aunt in Winthrop Harbor, and that according to grand jury indictments, he knew she was in the home at the time.

Kauppi also entered not guilty pleas to aggravated arson and arson related to the June 3 fire.

According to police reports, the woman was treated for mild to serious burns.

The judge set a trial date of Oct. 16 for Kauppi and scheduled a case management hearing for Sept. 15.

Prosecutors submitted 192 pages of discovery in the case, as well as DVDs that may be used as evidence, to Briscoe during the arraignment hearing Thursday.

In announcing his arrest, Winthrop Harbor police said Kauppi confessed to intentionally starting the fire.

On Feb. 27, Kauppi was terminated from his position at the Winthrop Harbor Fire Department by Chief Justin Stried after police accused Kauppi in December of forging checks. His aunt refused to pursue charges against him at that time.

According to police, the aunt was arrested prior to the June 3 fire in an arson at a residence in Pleasant Prairie, Wis., but those charges were dropped June 8 after Kauppi admitted to that fire as well.

thanks Dan