Jon Burge joined the Chicago Police Department in 1970, serving in various investigative posts and as commander from 1986 until his firing in 1993. He was convicted in 2010 of lying about the torture of suspects. Special prosecutors had alleged Burge and his so-called midnight crew of rogue detectives led the torture of criminal suspects for two decades, coercing dozens of confessions.

March 1, 1970

Burge joins Chicago Police Department Vietnam War veteran Jon Burge becomes a Chicago cop in 1970. He was promoted to detective in 1972 and worked in supervisory jobs through the mid-1980s. Allegations of torture surface early in his career. Jon Burge in 1983 when he was acting commander of the Burnside Area detective division. (Walter Neal/Chicago Tribune)

Feb. 14, 1982

Two named in cop killings Police issue arrest warrants for Andrew Wilson and his younger brother Jackie F. Wilson in the fatal shooting of two police officers the week before. The Andrew Wilson case will dog Jon Burge for years to come, including his firing from the Police Department.

Feb. 14, 1989

Police brutality lawsuit goes to trial A federal lawsuit filed by Andrew Wilson alleges his confession in the slaying of two police officers in 1982 was coerced under torture by investigators. The defendants named in the $10 million suit include then-Brighton Park Cmdr. Burge and three other cops, who deny the charges. This photo of Andrew Wilson was used to bolster his claims of being tortured by Chicago police. (Handout)

March 13, 1989

Burge denies torturing cop killer suspect Burge takes the stand in a civil rights trial and denies allegations of police brutality brought by convicted cop killer Andrew Wilson against Burge and other police officials.

March 30, 1989

Mistrial in Burge case A federal judge declares a mistrial after a jury is unable to reach a decision regarding torture allegations against Burge. Two other police officers in the case are cleared of a charge that they tortured Andrew Wilson after his arrest in 1982.

Oct. 10, 1991

Lawsuit accuses Burge, other cops of brutality Gregory Banks, whose murder conviction was overturned because police beat a confession out of him in 1983, files a lawsuit accusing detectives under Burge of torturing him. The suit accuses Burge of "encouraging and supervising this violence." Gregory Banks served seven years in prison until his murder conviction was thrown out. (Chuck Berman/Chicago Tribune 2008)

Nov. 8, 1991

Burge, 2 detectives face dismissal Police Superintendent LeRoy Martin suspends and moves to fire Burge and two of his detectives after allegations of torturing prisoners while in custody. LeRoy Martin in 1998. (John Lee/Chicago Tribune)

Dec. 26, 1991

3 suspended officers lose bid to win reinstatement A federal judge refuses to order the Chicago Police Department to reinstate Burge and two other officers suspended without pay over allegations of brutality against Andrew Wilson.

Feb. 10, 1992

Police Board begins hearings to dismiss Burge Convicted cop killer Andrew Wilson testifies about alleged torture by Burge, Detective John Yucaitis and Detective Patrick O'Hara at the start of hearings to dismiss the three officers. The officers deny the charges.

Jan. 13, 1993

Burge named in lawsuit alleging torture of teen Burge is among seven police officers sued in federal court on behalf of Marcus Wiggins, who alleges he was tortured while in custody during a 1991 murder investigation. Burge is not accused of personally torturing Wiggins. Carolyn Johnson holds a photograph of her son, Marcus Wiggins, at a demonstration for victims of police torture in Chicago. (Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune 2008)

Feb. 10, 1993

Burge fired by Chicago Police Board The Police Board votes to dismiss then-Cmdr. Burge on charges that he tortured Andrew Wilson, who was accused of killing two cops, 11 years earlier. Andrew Wilson in an undated photo. (Chicago Police Department photo)

Oct. 4, 1993

Cop killer's suit naming Burge is revived A federal appellate court orders a new trial in Andrew Wilson's lawsuit against four Chicago cops, including Burge, accusing them of torturing Wilson more than a decade earlier. The order reverses a lower federal court's verdict that exonerated the officers in 1989.

June 27, 1994

Burge loses bid to be reinstated A judge refuses to order the reinstatment of Burge, who was dismissed by the Police Board on allegations of torture in the Andrew Wilson case.

Feb. 2, 1999

Death row convictions tied to Burge Six years after Burge was fired on allegations of torturing a murder suspect, the charges of brutality against him and his detectives are revisited as 10 death row inmates and other prisoners try to prove they were beaten into making false confessions.

Nov. 17, 1999

The Burge Ten A Chicago Tribune investigation looks at 10 death row cases and their connection to Burge and allegations of confessions obtained through torture. Read more.

Aug. 10, 2000

Illinois Supreme Court rejects 6 death sentences Justices reverse or remand six death penalty cases based on allegations of torture by police or other factors. The cases include death row inmates Aaron Patterson and Derrick King, who are granted hearings to present evidence of alleged torture by police working under Burge. Aaron Patterson, left, and Derrick King claim they were tortured by police into making confessions that sent them to Death Row. (AP Photo; Illinois Department of Corrections)

Jan. 19, 2001

Convict drops cop torture claim to win freedom Convicted murderer Darrell Cannon, who alleges he was tortured by detectives under Burge, agrees to drop his claim in exchange for a reduced prison term that could set him free within three years. Darrell Cannon at his home in the Pullman neighborhood in Chicago. (Zbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune 2011)

Sept. 26, 2001

Death row inmates offered deal to drop torture claims Cook County State's Attorney Richard Devine discusses deals with a handful of inmates with long-standing claims that they were tortured into confessing by Burge and his detectives. The inmates are Derrick King, Stanley Howard, Andrew Maxwell and Aaron Patterson. Cook County State's Attorney Richard A. Devine. (Bonnie Trafelet/Chicago Tribune 2003)

April 24, 2002

Special prosecutor to probe torture claims Cook County's chief criminal court judge appoints a special prosecutor to investigate decades-old allegations that detectives under Burge tortured suspects.

Jan. 10, 2003

Gov. George Ryan pardons 4 on death row Ryan pardons four death row inmates who claimed Burge or his detectives tortured them to confess: Aaron Patterson, Madison Hobley, Leroy Orange and Stanley Howard. Gov. George Ryan at a news conference after pardoning several inmates facing execution and announcing a blanket clemency for all Illinois Death Row inmates. (Zbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune)

May 29, 2003

Ex-death row inmate sues over alleged torture Madison Hobley, pardoned by Gov. George Ryan, files a lawsuit alleging that Burge and his detectives tortured him during their investigation of a 1987 fire that killed seven people. Madison Hobley spent 16 years in prison before being freed. (Chuck Berman/Chicago Tribune 2007)

June 26, 2003

Ex-death row inmate files $30 million suit Aaron Patterson, pardoned by Gov. George Ryan in January 2003, files a federal lawsuit alleging he was tortured or threatened by Burge and officers he commanded as they investigated a 1986 double murder. Aaron Patterson, who was freed from Death Row but later convicted of drug dealing and other offenses, during a prison interview in 2004. (Abel Uribe/Chicago Tribune)

Nov. 24, 2003

Pardoned convict files suit alleging torture Former death row inmate Stanley Howard files a lawsuit alleging that Burge and his detectives used torture to coerce his confession to a 1984 slaying that Howard says he did not commit.

Jan. 10, 2004

Ex-inmate sues, charges torture Former death row inmate Leroy Orange, pardoned by Gov. George Ryan, files a federal lawsuit against Burge and other police detectives alleging they tortured him into confessing to four 1985 murders he did not commit. Leroy Orange leaving Cook County Jail after his pardon in January 2003. (Charles Cherney/Chicago Tribune)

Aug. 4, 2004

Burge told to return to Chicago to testify A federal magistrate judge orders Burge, now living in Florida, to come to Chicago to give a deposition in lawsuits filed by pardoned death row inmates Madison Hobley and Aaron Patterson.

Sept. 1, 2004

Burge repeatedly takes Fifth on torture questions During videotaped depositions in two lawsuits filed by pardoned death row inmates, Burge stays mum when asked if he or detectives under his command tortured suspects.

July 19, 2006

Report: Cops used torture Concluding a four-year probe, special prosecutors allege that Burge led the torture of suspects for two decades. But the investigation states Burge and other cops cannot be prosecuted because the statute of limitations has expired. Read more.

April 24, 2007

Report blasts special prosecutors' probe into cop torture A coalition of civil rights groups issues a report stating that a four-year investigation into police torture was a whitewash, and that two special prosecutors had ample evidence to charge Jon Burge and others with perjury and obstruction of justice.

Sept. 20, 2007

Aldermen seek Burge indictment A group of City Council members calls for U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald to seek an indictment of Burge and detectives under his command for torturing suspects in their custody.

Sept. 26, 2007

Feds looking into cop torture U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald announces that his office is investigating reports of police torture from the 1970s to 1990s, but he does not name Burge or the detectives who worked under him. U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune 2007)

Dec. 7, 2007

City to settle Burge case Chicago agrees to pay up to $19.8 million to settle the cases of pardoned death row inmates Leroy Orange, Stanley Howard, Madison Hobley and Aaron Patterson, who allegedly were tortured into confessions while in the custody of Jon Burge and his detectives.

Feb. 1, 2008

1983 murder charges dropped in case tied to Burge detectives Prosecutors drop murder charges against James Andrews, who went to prison for a double homicide he confessed to after allegedly being tortured by detectives working under Burge. James Andrews while in prison. (Illinois Department of Corrections photo)

Oct. 21, 2008

Feds catch up with Burge Burge is arrested on charges of perjury and obstruction of justice, accused of lying in written answers he submitted in 2003 as part of a federal lawsuit over torture claims. Read more. Jon Burge outside the federal courthouse in Tampa, Fla., after he was released from custody. (Steve Nesius/AP)

Oct. 27, 2008

Burge pleads not guilty At a brief court hearing packed with observers, Burge enters his plea to federal charges. Jon Burge arrives at federal court in Chicago to enter a plea. (Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)

Jan. 9, 2009

Inmate linked to Burge to walk free After serving 25 years of a life sentence in prison, David Fauntleroy is cleared of a 1983 homicide. He maintained he was tortured into confessing by police working under Burge.

May 22, 2009

New trial granted in Burge-tainted case A Cook County judge orders a new trial for convicted murderer Victor Safforld after finding three police detectives who worked under Burge likely beat him into confessing to two 1990 murders. David Fauntleroy while in prison. (Illinois Department of Corrections photo)

July 7, 2009

Prosecutors drop charges in '88 slayings linked to Burge Ronald Kitchen and Marvin Reeves, serving time for the 1988 murders of two women and three children, are released from prison. Kitchen had contended that police under Burge beat a confession out of him. Ronald Kitchen celebrates with supporters after walking out of the Cook County Jail after 18 years behind bars. (Abel Uribe/Chicago Tribune)

Aug. 18, 2009

Plea deal sets inmate free Mark Clements accepts a plea deal that frees him from prison after 28 years. Clements claims his confession to a 1981 arson that killed four people was coerced after a beating by police under Burge. Mark Clements in May 2010 outside the Cook County correctional facility. (Chris Walker/Chicago Tribune)

Sept. 3, 2009

Cleared of murder, man sues Burge Alton Logan, who spent 26 years in prison for a murder he did not commit, files a federal lawsuit alleging that Burge suppressed evidence that would have proved his innocence. Alton Logan in 2011. (Zbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune)

Jan. 14, 2010

Tillman freed in Burge torture scandal After 23 years in prison, charges are dropped against Michael Tillman, who said police under Burge beat a confession out of him in a 1986 rape and murder. Michael Tillman, center, leaves the Cook County Criminal Courthouse a free man. (Zbigniew Bzdak/Chicago Tribune)

May 6, 2010

Burge trial set to begin Jury selection begins in the trial of Burge, who stands accused of perjury and obstruction of justice for allegedly lying in 2003 when he denied under oath he knew of or participated in abuse of suspects. Read more. Jon Burge is swarmed by the news media outside federal court as his trial gets underway. (Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)

May 26, 2010

Burge trial opens with torture claim Former gang leader Anthony Holmes testifies that Burge used an electrical device and plastic bags to force a murder confession from him in the early 1970s. Anthony Holmes in 2013. (Chris Walker/Chicago Tribune)

June 16, 2010

Burge breaks years of silence Burge tearfully testifies at his perjury trial that he never beat, shocked or suffocated anyone into giving confessions. Read more. Jon Burge arrives at federal court and gives testimony in his trial. (Jose Osorio/ Chicago Tribune)

June 28, 2010

Burge found guilty A federal jury convicts Burge on all three counts of obstruction of justice and perjury for lying about the torture in a civil lawsuit. Read more. Jon Burge with a member of his legal team at Chicago federal court on the day he was found guilty. (Alex Garcia/Chicago Tribune)

July 1, 2010

Ex-inmate sues Daley and Burge Freed death row inmate Ronald Kitchen, who spent more than 20 years in prison after police allegedly used torture to extract a false confession to five murders in 1988, sues Burge, his detectives and Mayor Richard M. Daley.

July 22, 2010

Alleged torture victim sues Burge Michael Tillman, who spent 23 years in prison for a 1986 rape and murder, files a federal lawsuit claiming his confession was coerced by police working under Burge who allegedly beat, burned, smothered and threatened him with death. Michael Tillman becomes emotional during a news conference in July 2010. (Brian Cassella/Chicago Tribune)

Jan. 21, 2011

Burge gets 4 1/2 years, tells judge, 'I am a broken man' A federal judge sentences Burge to 4 1/2 years in prison, saying his torture of suspects irreparably damaged the justice system. Read more. Jon Burge arrives for sentencing at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

March 16, 2011

Caine freed as Burge enters prison Eric Caine, who says he was beaten into confessing to a 1986 double murder by detectives under Burge, is ordered released by a Cook County judge on the same day Burge reports to federal prison. Eric Caine talks to reporters outside the Menard Correctional Center after serving 25 years. (David Pierini/Chicago Tribune)

July 14, 2011

Confession probe by FBI expands to Burge detectives, ex-prosecutors With Burge in prison for lying about the torture of criminal suspects, federal officials turn their investigation to detectives who worked under Burge and to former Cook County prosecutors. The expansion of the probe signals that a scandal that has dogged Chicago for decades may not soon be over.

Aug. 10, 2011

Judge says Daley can be sued in Burge case A federal judge rules that former Mayor Richard M. Daley can be sued for alleged police brutality under Burge. The ruling is important because Daley, the Cook County state's attorney in the 1980s, is named in multiple lawsuits alleging torture by Burge and other detectives that led to coerced confessions. Mayor Richard M. Daley before leaving office in May 2011. (Jose M. Osorio/Chicago Tribune)

March 2, 2012

Daley denies claims in Tillman lawsuit Former Mayor Richard M. Daley denies allegations that he was part of a conspiracy involving Burge while Daley was Cook County state's attorney. Daley's written response is filed in federal court in answer to a lawsuit by Michael Tillman, who alleges he was tortured by Burge detectives and falsely confessed to rape and murder.

July 25, 2012

City Council settles torture cases for $7.2M Aldermen approve more than $7 million in payments to Michael Tillman and David Fauntleroy, who say they were tortured during the 1980s by detectives under Burge.

Sept. 5, 2013

City settlements in Burge cases hit $85M Chicago's payouts to torture victims linked to Burge continue to climb as the latest settlement, for $12.3 million, is approved for onetime co-defendants Marvin Reeves and Ronald Kitchen. Marvin Reeves with his sister Sonya Reeves outside Cook County Jail when he was freed in July 2009 after 18 years behind bars. (Abel Uribe/Chicago Tribune)

July 3, 2014

Illinois Supreme Court rules Burge can keep his pension Justices uphold a Cook County judge's ruling that allows Burge, now in prison, to keep receiving his $4,000-a-month pension despite his 2010 conviction for lying about the torture of suspects.

Oct. 2, 2014

Burge leaves prison Burge is released from a minimum-security prison in North Carolina to a halfway house in the Tampa, Fla., area.

Feb. 13, 2015

Burge freed from home confinement Burge is released from home confinement in Florida, ending his 4 1/2-year sentence for lying under oath about the torture of suspects.

March 25, 2015

Burge torture case not over An unprecedented review by a Chicago law school dean gives hope to almost 20 alleged Burge victims still in prison. Read more.

April 14, 2015

City plans reparations for Burge-linked victims Chicago proposes a $5.5 million fund for dozens of torture victims connected to Burge and his detectives. Read more. David Bates, who alleges he was tortured while in custody, is among the men eligible for reparations. (Nancy Stone/Chicago Tribune 2006)

May 6, 2015

City gives Burge victims reparations, apology The City Council acknowledges victims of torture linked to Burge before approving a $5.5 million reparations package. Read more. Alleged torture victims connected to Jon Burge stand to be honored during the City Council meeting. (Nancy Stone/Chicago Tribune)

Aug. 12, 2015

Appeals court tosses conviction in Burge-related case The Illinois Appellate Court overrules a lower court and throws out the murder conviction of Shawn Whirl, who claims his confession was coerced with torture by a detective who had worked with Burge. "There's no evidence other than his coerced confession," says one of the lawyers who represented Whirl in his appeal.

Oct. 14, 2015

Whirl released in Burge-related case After nearly 25 years behind bars for a murder he says he did not commit, Shawn Whirl walks out of state prison a free man. Read more. Shawn Whirl with his mother Erma Whirl after his release from Hill Correctional Center in Galesburg. (Daryl Wilson/for the Chicago Tribune)

Nov. 18, 2015

Panel votes against sending Burge-linked case to judge The Illinois Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission votes against sending the case of convicted killer Jerry Mahaffey to a Cook County judge to determine if he should be granted a new trial in a 1983 double murder. Mahaffey maintains that Burge's detectives tortured him into confessing. Jerry Mahaffey, who is serving a life sentence in a 1983 home invasion and double-murder, alleges he was tortured by police. (Illinois Department of Corrections photo)