District Rolls Out Curriculum for Teaching about History of Police Torture

District Rolls Out Curriculum for Teaching about History of Police Torture

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After piloting a curriculum last year, Chicago Public Schools will introduce lessons this school year about a very dark chapter in Chicago history. Students in 8th and 10th grades will learn about former police commander Jon Burge leading torture of suspects in custody, and how the treatment of those majority black men played a role in institutional racism. WBEZ reporter Shannon Heffernan details what’s included and why this is being introduced. Morning Shift also talks to Martha Biondi, a member of the Chicago Torture Justice Memorials, who consulted on what should be included in the lessons. Shannon sticks around to tell us more about AG Lisa Madigan’s lawsuit for federal oversight over CPD.