City proposes $5.5M fund police torture victims under Jon Burge
CHICAGO (WLS) -- The city of Chicago is proposing a $5.5 million fund, a memorial and psychological counseling to victims of police torture under Commander Jon Burge.
It is no stretch to say that this is historic. After more than two decades of protests, lawsuits and payouts, the city council is prepared to offer an apology and money to the victims of police torture under Burge.
"And he struck me on my genitals with that cattle prod," said Darrell Cannon.
A cattle prod, a shotgun held in his mouth. Thirty two years later, it is still fresh for Darrell Cannon who confessed to a murder he says he didn't commit. He says he confessed because of torture tactics directed by Burge.
"It is my belief that if I forthrightly answer your questions today, that I might place myself in legal jeopardy," Burge said in February 2015.
Through the years and a multitude of court cases, Burge has declined to answer questions. The police conduct he led has cost the city over $80 million in settlements and legal fees. Now, there is one more. One that the city hopes will close the book on a dark chapter of Chicago history.
"To own up and be accountable for what happened here, but more importantly, to help the victims have their own sense of closure," said Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
The city council is prepared to approve a $5.5 million reparations package for those men - perhaps 20 to 30 in number - who can credibly prove that they were victims of police torture under Burge. The max they can receive is $100,000. Darrell Cannon would argue that's not a lot for years lost in prison, but he regards it as a glass half full, not half empty.
"I am grateful that sound minds have came together and did something. Something is better than nothing any day," Cannon said.
The reparations package also includes a unique provision that what happened under Burge's command be part of the American History curriculum taught in 8th and 10th grade classes in Chicago Public Schools.
"It's important that we teach those lessons even though that they may be unpleasant so that we may be destined not to repeat them," said 21st Ward Ald. Howard Brookins.
That is also the wish of Anthony Holmes, who did 30 years in prison after a forced false confession.
"To understand what I've been through, I hope nobody have to go through it again. And I hope you all do something about it and help us. But we need your help. I thank you," Holmes said.
The lawyers who've worked the Burge cases over the years aren't taking any money, so the $5.5 million in the reparations fund would be divided up among people like Anthony Holmes, and others who have credible claims of torture.
The full council is expected to vote on it next month.
