Tony Peraica
From Sunshine Review
Anthony J. "Tony" Peraica, born April 14, 1957, is a Republican Cook County Commissioner in Illinois.
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[edit] Background and Education
Tony Peraica was born in Croatia and moved to the United States in 1969, after his parents' deaths. Once in the U.S, Peraica learned to speak English and attended Holy Name Cathedral High School. He worked his way through college, graduating with a degree in political science from the University of Illinois at Chicago in three years, then attended John Marshall Law School. Eventually, Peraica set up a law practice, married, and had two children.[1]
[edit] Political Career
Peraica began his political career as an intern for influential 11th Ward alderman Patrick Huels. He also worked for 23rd Ward alderman (and eventual Congressman) William Lipinski.
In 1992, Tony Peraica filed petitions to run as a Democrat against Republican state senator Bob Raica. The Illinois Supreme Court changed the district boundaries as a result of a gerrymandering lawsuit. Peraica was drawn into a district with then-Democratic Party chairman Gary LaPaille. LaPaille's campaign challenged Peraica's petitions, and Peraica claims he withdrew from the race after a meeting with Michael J. Madigan.[1]
In 1993, Peraica moved to Riverside and in 1994 ran as a Democrat against Republican incumbent Cook County commissioner Allen Carr. After losing that race, he examined his principles and switched his allegiance to the Republican Party.
In 1998, Tony Peraica ran and lost as a Republican against Maria Pappas for Cook County Treasurer.
In 2002, Peraica beat Allen Carr in the primary race for Cook County commissioner, and defeated Melrose Park mayor Ron Serpico in the general election with 57% of the vote.
In 2006, he was elected Lyons Republican Township Committeeman in March. In November, Peraica lost in a race against Todd Stroger for Cook County Board Chairman. (Todd Stroger was appointed to the ballot when his father, John Stroger, suffered a stroke.) After it became apparent he would lose the race, Peraica took to the stage and encouraged his supporters to march to the Cook County Board of Elections to protest the delay in vote tallying.[2]
In 2008, Tony Peraica ran for Cook County State's Attorney against Anita Alvarez.
[edit] Issues
Peraica is pro-Second Amendment.[3]
