After those stories went viral, criminal defense and civil rights attorneys told the Chicago Tribune that the problems described -- including police denying detainees access to lawyers and denying lawyers and family members information about their whereabouts -- have long been a widespread issue in Chicago and are not unique to Homan Square. Craig Futterman, a University of Chicago law professor, said the "black site" rhetoric may be an exaggeration but also said delays in access to legal representation were routine.