Julius Burkes Jr., 47, of Hammond is charged with killing Courtney Drysdale in February.
Kankakee County prosecutors said the killing appeared to be targeted.
On Monday, Burkes pleaded not guilty and demanded a trial by jury.
Prosecutors said Burkes walked into the Line Bar, demanded money and shot the 30-year-old mother twice in the head.
According to court records, the two once worked together at the bar, when it was owned by someone else.
Burkes was allegedly fired for stealing money from the cash register, which Drysdale reported to the owners.
Burkes was on bond for a previous charge at the time of the shooting.
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