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A video-projection of former Chicago Police Detective Jon Burge pleading the Fifth Amendment multiple times while being questioned about torturing suspects was displayed at yesterday’s City Council hearing. The video was provided by attorneys from the People’s Law Office who represent torture victims.

Yesterday, the Chicago City Council held hearings regarding the highly controversial four-year, $7 million special investigation into Chicago’s history of police torture (often called the Jon Burge Scandal.) The hearing, which lasted in excess of four hours, comes quickly on the heels of a similar hearing by the Cook County Board of Commissioners. Like the Board hearing, the City Council hearing consisted of a chorus of outrage, anger, and frustration that millions of dollars were spent on an investigation that led to no indictments or criminal charges even though Special Prosecutors Edward Egan and Robert Boyle acknowledged that torture and abuse did occur at the hands of Chicago Police officers. Many (including attorneys, legal scholars, activists, and politicians from across the nation) have criticized the investigation and ensuing report as a political whitewash designed to protect high-ranking officials implicated in the scandal.

In addition to the disturbing anecdotes of abuse and torture recounted by multiple witnesses, Commissioners continually pressed testifying attorneys and legal scholars for help in figuring out how to punish the perpetrating officers despite the failed investigation by the Special Prosecutors. Most legal experts feel that the U.S. Attorneys Office can still step in and indict many of the officers, including Burge, for perjury and obstruction of justice due to relatively recent testimony in federal trials. (As a result of the County Board hearing mentioned above, that body recently passed a resolution supporting a federal investigation.)

Another issue discussed at yesterday’s hearing was the fact that the City of Chicago continues to pay for the legal defense of Burge in civil cases alleging his torture, and that the City continues to pay Burge’s full pension despite his being dismissed in 1993 due to his abuse. Many Commissioners expressed disgust and dismay that local funds are being used for these purposes and displayed, at least at the hearings, the will to put a stop to those expenditures.

First Deputy Superintendent of Chicago Police Dana Starks testifies at yesterday’s city council hearing as Alderman Isaac Carothers looks on.

For those who have been pushing for decades for justice and resolution to this scandal, the hearing offered positive developments. Given the hearing and resolutions by the County Board, as well as yesterday’s hearing in the Council, numerous lawmakers and officials are now squarely on the record in opposition to the Special Prosecutor’s failed report and in support of the continued fight for justice for torture victims. Burge opponents can only hope that momentum continues and that meaningful legal steps are taken to address a deep scar on the history of Chicago.