In addition to the foregoing defect in the petition for change of venue herein, the prosecution further contends that the petition was properly denied on the ground that it was presented too late in the proceeding. It is uncontroverted that the law requires a petition for change of venue to be offered at the earliest practical moment, and that a petition filed after the hearing has commenced will be denied on the ground that it is filed too late. Commissioners of Drainage District v. Goembel, 383 Ill. 323; Flassig v. Newman, 317 Ill. App. 635; People v. Ayers, 250 Ill. App. 526; Richards v. Greene, 78 Ill. 525, 528; Haley v. City of Alton, 152 Ill. 113. Defendant, however, argues that the petition for change of venue herein, presented after the conclusion of the hearing on the motion to suppress evidence, but prior to the commencement of the trial on the indictment, was offered in apt time.

Several cases, cited with approval, settle the instant question. In People v. Ayer, 250 Ill. App. 526, the court held that a motion for change of venue was presented too late where it was offered before trial but after rulings on motions to exclude evidence, to quash the information, and for a continuance. . . .

[4] The People further contend that the application for change of venue was properly denied on the ground that it was presented too late in the proceeding. It is uncontroverted that the law requires an application for a change of venue from the judge to be offered at the earliest practical moment, and that an application filed after the hearing has commenced will be denied on the ground that it is filed too late. Flassig v. Newman, 317 Ill. App. 635; People v. Ayers, 250 Ill. App. 526; Haley v. City of Alton, 152 Ill. 113. [5] Thus where a judge has already commenced a hearing and has by his rulings indicated his views on the merits of the cause, it is too late for the party against whom such rulings have been made to move for a change of venue.