Rahm Looking to Settle Burge Torture Cases

By Chuck Sudo in News on Aug 16, 2011 1:30PM

The Sun-Times scored an exclusive interview with Mayor Rahm Emanuel in which he said he's "working towards" settling the outstanding lawsuits against the city that stemmed from the police torture allegations against former Cmdr. Jon Burge.

“How old is this now — 30 years old? ... It is time we end it.” Emanuel told the Bright One.

It's likely in the City's best interests to settle these cases. Chicago has paid out $43 million in settlements and outside legal fees over the years from cases related to Burge. Settling the remaining cases could save the City money in the long run in future legal fees and keep former Mayor Richard Daley, who was Cook County State's Attorney and was beginning his 22-year tenure as mayor when the Burge allegations became public, from testifying in future cases.

Emanuel was asked about settling the cases even as he defended the city's decision to pick up Daley's legal fees. Attorney Flint Taylor, who is representing Michael Tillman in one Burge-related suit against the city, agreed that settling the cases is in the best interests of the city.

“Not only should he resolve these cases so taxpayers can compensate the victims rather than the torturers. He should apologize to the African-American community and to the victims for this pattern of torture.”