Peraica fires back at McCook with fed suit

Cook County Commissioner Tony Peraica has filed a federal suit against McCook, its police department and Mayor Jeffrey Tobolski, his Democratic opponent in the general election, over Peraica's weekend arrest in the village. Peraica was accused of destroying Tobolski's campaign signs and charged with criminal damage to property.

Peraica, a Riverside Republican, called that charge “bogus” and “absolutely untrue” and sued the city for false arrest, unlawful detention, violation of due process and defamation. The suit seeks $2 million in punitive and actual damages.

“Tony got caught, period, end of conversation,” Tobolski responded. “He claimed he was campaigning. How many people do you know go out campaigning at 11 o'clock at night?”

Peraica said he was delivering yard signs to a supporter in Willow Springs when he was stopped by police in McCook and that the charges for his arrest were trumped up.

The suit names Tobolski and Police Chief Frank Wolfe both as individuals and in their official capacities.