To: The Illinois State House, The Illinois State Senate, and Governor J.B. Pritzker
Gov. Quinn: Revive the Illinois Torture Commission!
Fund the Torture Commission--at least at the minimum $600k budget level previously requested--and fill the vacant positions now.
Why is this important?
Numerous Chicago Torture victims remain in prison! Most Chicagoans and many people around the world know about the brutal acts of torture perpetrated by police officers for decades under the command of Jon Burge. Hundreds of young black men -- many mere teenagers at the time of their arrests and torture -- were forced into confessing to crimes and imprisoned for decades.
While millions of tax dollars have been spent to defend the torturers, many victimized by Burge and others are still in prison with no recourse other than the potential for freedom and justice which the Illinois Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission can provide.
History is repeating itself as our officials refuse to prioritize this issue or the victims/survivors, so the Commission is being virtually dismantled due to reduced funding and failure to appoint commissioners for vacant seats. Governor Quinn and legislators have a chance to reverse the budget cuts in their new budget. Call on them to fully fund and staff the Torture Commission - now!