Brothers Reginald Henderson and Sean Tyler are suing the city of Chicago and a group of its former law enforcement officers after enduring alleged false imprisonment and torture. The brothers claim that they suffered for a combined half-century due to the actions of Jon Burge's notorious "midnight crew," according to Courthouse News.
In a related development, Chicago City Lawyers have recently called for Federal Judge Jeffery Cummings to recuse himself from the case, saying he once approved claims discrediting an investigation into allegations of torture by Burge and his "midnight crew."
Since Jon Burge's discharge from the force in 1993, Chicago has implemented a number of measures to rectify past abuses. Under the leadership of then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel, a $5.5 million reparations fund was set up in 2015 for victims of Burge. Furthermore, in 2017, a $31 million settlement was awarded to the "Englewood Four," four men falsely imprisoned and reportedly tortured into making untrue admissions.
Henderson, Tyler, and Gibson still are seeking redress and acknowledgment, despite these reforms. Their charges present a chilling portrait of systemic support for illegal law enforcement conduct. Jennifer Bonjean, attorney for Reginald Henderson, stressed that it was not just a few corrupt officers at fault, but a system that protected them, she told Courthouse News.
The civil rights lawsuits of Henderson and Tyler, the questions surrounding Judge Cummings' impartiality, and a wider push for alteration within the Chicago Police Department all contribute to a growing force to end this dark legacy. It is in this context of introspection and investigation that the city is confronting the harm done under Jon Burge's leadership.
