Police torture panel files 3 new cases

A commission that said its work investigating alleged police torture cases was far from over when state lawmakers cut off its funding weeks ago has filed three new cases with a Cook County judge.

The Illinois Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission filed the claims, saying there is credible evidence that the men were convicted of murder after they were tortured into confessing. The commission was set up in the wake of allegations that former Chicago police Cmdr. Jon Burge and subordinates tortured suspects.

The three men were questioned by detectives connected to Burge, who was convicted in 2010 of lying about the torture of suspects.

The commission says it won’t be able to investigate dozens more cases because state funding — $150,000 a year — runs out this month.