Personal Injury Law

Chicago to Settle Police Torture Lawsuit for $16.5 Million

The Chicago City Council has approved a $16.5 million settlement for a federalcivil rights lawsuit accusing the Chicago Police Department of abusive acts. The city of Chicago will pay $15 million of the settlement, and an insurer will cover the rest.

The plaintiffs, who filed their Chicago police brutality lawsuit in 2004, contended that they had been the victims of an "institutionalized system of police torture.? Among the police abuse acts that they say they were subjected to: not being given enough water or food, insufficient bathroom breaks, being chained to a metal bench or wall, and no proper bedding when detained in lockup overnight. The Chicago police brutality lawsuit likened these methods to the "soft torture" tactics used outside the US to elicit involuntary confessions from suspects.

The plaintiffs had originally sought $100 million. Now over 500,000 people may be eligible to receive compensation. Cash awards will depend on how many people apply for awards and the specifics of each of their police abuse incidents.

Up to 12,000 people who were arrested without warrants between March 15, 1999 and Feb. 10, 2008 and not given probable cause hearings within 48 hours may be entitled to compensation. Up to 2,000 people who were placed in interview rooms without a pad or mattress between October 21, 2001 and March 10, 2010 also could be eligible. Approximately 50,000 people who were held in lockups through the night without bedding to sleep on between October 21, 2001 and March 10, 2010 may be entitled to $90 each.

In the wake of this Chicago, Illinois police brutality complaint, the Cook County Circuit Court put in place a ?duty judge? to make sure that probable cause hearings occur within 48 hours. Also, people held in interview rooms or in lockup overnight must now be provided with a padded mat, and anyone who is detained must be allowed adequate bathroom brakes and given enough meals.

City Council moves to settle police mistreatment lawsuit, Chicago Tribune, May 10, 2010

Illinois: Chicago Reaches Deal in Lawsuit Claiming Police Abuse, The New York Times, May 12, 2010

Related Web Resources:
Chicago Police Department

Civil Rights, Police Brutality, Positive Universe

Full post as published by Chicago Injury Attorney Blog on May 14, 2010 (boomark / email).