CHICAGO, May 17 (UPI) -- The Illinois Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission said it plans to recommend hearings for allegations of torture made against Chicago police officers.
Five of the seven cases involve former Chicago police Lt. Jon Burge, the Chicago Tribune reported Thursday. The other two cases involve homicide investigations on the West and Northwest sides.
The commission said there was evidence of torture used to coerce confessions in the seven cases and is expected to recommend next week hearings be ordered for each of them.
One of the cases is that of Jackie Wilson, who was convicted with his brother of killing two Chicago police officers during a traffic stop in 1982.
Wilson alleged Burge forced him to confess to the crime by electrocuting him to the point that he spit up blood.
Burge is currently serving a 4 1/2-year prison sentence for lying under oath.
The commission was created to look into claims of police abuse. It was forced to suspend operations in 2012 due to a lack of funds but then received a state grant in March that allowed it to continue operations.
Since it was created, the commission has found 12 credible claims of torture.
