South Cook News

A 39-year-old Cook County protester has a history of criminal conduct, ranging from burglary to driving while under the influence (DUI).

David A. Janocha was arrested for criminal damage to property in 1998 when he was 17-years-old. He was arrested by Chicago Heights officers on Oct. 29, 1998, for criminal damage to property. He was released on a cash bond. He was found guilty on July 8, 1999, and ordered to serve one year of probation.

On Nov. 24, 1998, Janocha was arrested and charged with burglary. He pled not guilty on Dec. 7, 1998. The charge was later entered as “nolle prosequi” in the court record.

Janocha was also arrested several times for charges related to cannabis —on Dec. 17, 1999, for unlawful possession of cannabis and on Oct. 12, 2000, for possession of cannabis. He was found guilty on the first offense on March 29, 2000, and was ordered to serve one year of probation. The second offense was stricken.

Janocha has three DUIs as well from between 2002 and 2012.

Janocha was issued a ticket on Dec. 21, 2002, for driving under the influence of alcohol. His bond amount was $100 and he was granted supervision. The case was deemed satisfied on April 20, 2004.

Janocha was issued a second ticket for DUI on Nov. 13, 2010. His bond amount then was $300. He was also ticketed for speeding 11-14 miles per hour above the speed limit. In that case, he pleaded not guilty.

In a third case, Janocha was ticketed on Oct. 16, 2012. He pleaded not guilty in the case.

Janocha said in a Facebook post on Feb. 18 that Homewood was playing games by silencing the public.

“They’re not here for the citizens of this community, our representatives DO NOT care about us and are not willing let us have our full say in this egregious matter,” Janocha said in the post. “The village has shown willful complicity with the developers at this point. I’m not at all ashamed. I’m calling out every single member, elected or appointed, of the village of homewood.”

Janocha said Chris Cummings, the village attorney, is not interested in their village or its people.

“He’s bending over backward for these million-dollar racist developers,” Janocha said. “You’re a spineless coward and you’re letting these scoundrels walk all over you, and your clients.”

Janocha said the village’s shortcomings are transparent.

“The village of Homewood has no intention of trying to defend its citizens, or itself in this matter. They’ve clearly already folded on us,” Janocha said. 

Janocha is part of South Suburbs for Greenspace Over Concrete, the Chicago Tribune reported.

He distributes fliers around his neighborhood and has been pushing for the village to stop the redevelopment plans for Calumet Country Club.