The criminal damage to property case against Cook County Board Commissioner Tony Peraica will not go to trial until at least February. Monday morning at the Bridgeview courthouse the case was continued until Feb. 9.
But before that happened Peraica filed a motion to substitute judges which was granted. The case was transferred to Judge Kerry Kennedy who granted a continuance in the case.
Peraica is charged with one count of destroying campaign signs belonging to his opponent, McCook Mayor Jeffrey Tobolski, on the Saturday night before the Nov. 2 election. In the election Tobolski unseated Peraica who has served two terms representing the 16th District on the county board.
Peraica was arrested by McCook police. Peraica claims that the charges are trumped up.
Monday Peraica said he did not feel he could get a fair trial from Judge Janet Adams Brosnahan, the judge to whom the case was initially assigned. But Peraica declined to say why he felt that way. Parties are routinely granted one motion for a substitution of judges.
Peraica, an attorney, represented himself on Monday.
In front of Judge Kennedy, Peraica and attorneys from the Cook County State’s Attorney’s office, who are prosecuting the misdemeanor case, agreed to continue the case until February.
Peraica also filed a discovery motion asking for documents relating to his arrest. That motion was granted.
-Bob Skolnik
