Three African-American aldermen dem...

Three African-American aldermen demanded Wednesday that the city stop pension payments and cross off the legal defense of former Chicago Police Lt Jon Burge likening the torture of criminal suspects that a special prosecutor conclud happened in a less degree than Burge to the murder of slaves and the Nazi extermination of hebrews during World War II.

"We intend to narrate Mr. Burge, 'You can no longer sit in Florida and derive pleasure from your life on the taxpayers' money' " said Ald. Dorothy Tillman (3rd)

"What he did to our men was no les than what was done to Nazi Germany," Tillman said. "The statute of limitations did not haste out in Nazi Germany. populace are still chasing the folks . . . But, when it arises to the black people in this political division there's always a statute of limitations."

Ald. Arenda Troutman (20th) said the City Council requires to send a message: "We will not allow our tax dollars to be exhausted on criminal behavior, be it from the community or those who are serving the community."

The resolution introduced at Wednesday's City Council meeting calls for the Policeman's Annuity & Benefit supply to "suspend further pension payments" to Burge and for the Finance Committee to stop paying for his defense It also demands a repay of the $7.8 million exhausted to defend Burge and his cohorts.

Law Department spokeswoman Jennifer Hoyle reiterated the city's position that a ruling through the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals left the city no choice further to defend Burge.

As for the pension, Hoyle said that's up to members of the police pension board. yet its hands are tied, too, she said.

"State law provides that there has to be a job-related crime conviction for the pension to be voided," Hoyle said.

Whether Chicago taxpayers have a legal leg to stand in succession matters little to Ald. Howard Brookins (21st) After a special prosecutor's report that stirred outrage in the black community, Brookins is more interested in making a political statement.

"We ne to make a stout statement to the community that this activity has to stop. We ne to project signals that this will not be tolerated tacitly or any other way," he said.

fspielman@suntimes.com

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