“The torture and other abuse committed by Burge and officers under his command are a disgrace to the City and to the hard-working men and women of the Chicago Police Department. To remind the City of the injustices that occurred and to ensure that they are not repeated, the City will acknowledge and educate the public about this dark chapter in Chicago’s history.” - “Reparations for Burge Torture Victims," Memorandum of Understanding
Reparations Won Units
Beginning in the 1970s and continuing until the early 1990s, Commander Jon Burge and other officers of the Chicago Police Department systematically tortured African American men in police custody on the city’s Southeast Side. Burge and almost all the officers involved were white. The City of Chicago adopted a reparations package to address these dark moments in Chicago history. Part of the package was a promise that Chicago students would learn about this historic moment.
A copy of the City Council Resolution and more information can be found on the City of Chicago website. The Chicago Public Schools, with support from community advocates and activists and the Chicago Teachers Union, has developed two educational units for teachers and students. The curriculum, titled “Reparations Won: A Case Study in Police Torture, Racism, and the Movement for Justice in Chicago”, provides for instruction in 8th grade and 10th grade classrooms.
Please note: It has come to our attention that some of the links to additional resources are no longer working in the digital versions of the Reparations Won Units. They are currently in the process of being fixed. In the meantime, you can find the new links below:
- Crimes Against Humanity Ronald Kitchen Tortured, Framed, Then Sentenced to Death 11.19.11 Pt.1
- Crimes Against Humanity Ronald Kitchen Tortured, Framed, Then Sentenced to Death 11.19.11 Pt.3
Reparations Won Professional Learning
CPS's Department of Social Science and Civic Engagement led a district-wide Reparations Won professional development in April/May of 2017 that introduced the Reparations Won curriculum, provided social and emotional learning strategies with the help of the Office of Social and Emotional Learning, and focused on approaches and mindsets for discussing difficult issues of race and racism. Since then, we have provided professional learning for over 1,300 teachers, counselors, social workers, and administrators.
Don't worry if you missed the Reparations Won professional development. We will be hosting sessions for New Teachers and Veteran Teachers on an annual basis. Check our Calendar for upcoming dates.
Chicago Torture Justice Center
The Chicago Torture Justice Center seeks to address the traumas of police violence and institutionalized racism through access to healing and wellness services, trauma-informed resources, and community connection. The Center is a part of and supports a movement to end all forms of police violence.
The Department of Social Science and Civic Engagement partners with the Chicago Torture Justice Center to support teachers in bringing survivors of torture to speak to classrooms across CPS.
To learn more about bringing a speaker to your classroom: Complete this form with the Chicago Torture Justice Center (CTJC) Speakers Bureau.
School Payments
- Please check with your school principal for payment options for your guest speaker(s). Schools may be able to pay with various funds. However, more times than not, schools must use a CPS approved vendor.
- To have a survivor speak in one of your classrooms/schools, CTJC asks a fee of $200.00. Please note that CTJC is NOT a CPS Vendor. However, CTJC can be paid through their vendor- Public Health Institute of Metropolitan Chicago: Home. Your school can locate their vendor number via CPS procurement. Your contact person at CTJC understands the process and will work with you accordingly.
If you are unable to get a speaker from the Chicago Torture Justice Center due to financial reasons, here are a few options:
- Use this video from WTTW of Torture Survivor, Darrell Cannon, who shared his story at a Chicago City Council Finance Committee Meeting in 2015
- Contact the Department of Social Science and Civic Engagement: ssce@cps.edu for potential funding opportunities.