Chicago aldermen request review of City Hall lawyers

CHICAGO (AP) - Several Chicago aldermen want the federal government to follow its report on the city's police department with a review of City Hall lawyers.

The Chicago Tribune (http://trib.in/2jWZ02e) reports the aldermen recently sent a letter to the Justice Department asking for a review of Chicago Law Department practices. Law department lawyers represent officers accused of wrongdoing in civil cases.

A Justice Department report released last week found civil-rights violations by Chicago police, including use of excessive force and a "pervasive cover-up culture."

Alderman Roderick Sawyer is among those calling for a review. He says a cover-up culture extends to city attorneys.

The law department has denied widespread misconduct. Mayoral spokesman Adam Collins says the city law department has implemented "significant reforms" to improve how city lawyers work.

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Information from: Chicago Tribune, http://www.chicagotribune.com