$100K bond for Lyons man charged with punching state trooper in the face

Daniel Rucci / photo from Cook County sheriff’s office

Bond was set at $100,000 for a southwest suburban man charged with punching an Illinois State Police trooper in the face early Sunday on the Northwest Side.

Daniel Rucci, 35, was charged with aggravated battery to a police officer, unlawful possession of cannabis and DUI, an Illinois State Police sergeant said.

A state trooper was conducting a field sobriety test on Rucci about 3:15 a.m. in the northbound lanes of the Kennedy Expressway (I-90/94) near Lawrence, an Illinois State Police sergeant said.

When the test was completed, Rucci walked toward the trooper and started swinging at him, knocking him to the ground, the sergeant said. Rucci stood over the trooper and swung several more times, striking him in the face, the sergeant said.

Rucci then got in his car and drove to his home in Lyons, where State Police and Lyons police arrested him without incident, the sergeant said.

The officer was taken to a hospital and was later released, the sergeant said.

Rucci was ordered held on a $100,000 bond, according to the Cook County sheriff’s office. His next court date is scheduled for Dec. 29.