Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission, Illinois
Board and Commission Details
Contact Title
Executive Director
Function
The Commission shall have the following duties and powers: (1) To establish the criteria and screening process to be used to determine which cases shall be accepted for review. (2) To conduct inquiries into claims of torture with priority to be given to those cases in which the convicted person is currently incarcerated solely for the crime to which he or she claims torture by Jon Burge or officers under his command, or both. (3) To coordinate the investigation of cases accepted for review. (4) To maintain records for all case investigations. (5) To prepare written reports outlining Commission investigations and recommendations to the trial court at the completion of each inquiry. (6) To apply for and accept any funds that may become available for the Commission's work from government grants, private gifts, donations, or bequests from any source.
Term
1, 2, or 3 years terms will be assigned. Members of the Commission shall serve no more than 2 consecutive 3-year terms plus any initial term of less than 3 years. All terms of members shall begin on January 1 and end on December 31.
Senate Confirmation
Yes
Compensation
Expenses
Composition
The Commission shall consist of 8 voting members: (1) One shall be a retired Circuit Court Judge (2) One shall be a former prosecuting attorney (3) One shall be a law school professor (4) One shall be engaged in the practice of criminal defense law (5) Three shall be members of the public who are not attorneys and who are not officers or employees of the Judicial branch (6) One shall be a former public defender. * The members of the Commission shall be appointed by the Governor, with the advice and consent of the Senate. Members may be re-appointed for additional terms. *The Governor shall also appoint alternate Commission members for the Commission members he or she has appointed to serve in the event of scheduling conflicts, conflicts of interest, disability, or other disqualification arising in a particular case. * The Illinois Human Rights Commission shall provide, directly or through any other State agency, office space for the Commission and the Commission staff
Chair
The retired judge who is appointed as a member shall serve as Chair of the Commission
Authority
775 ILCS 40/15
Member Names
Name | Member Expiration | Member Since | Affiliation | Appointed By | Position | Title | County |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Block, Steven | 12/31/2024 | 03/26/2021 | Governor | Member, Former prosecuting attorney | Cook | ||
Bedi, Shelia A. | 12/31/2023 | 04/28/2023 | Governor | Alternate, Law school professor | Cook | ||
Maliza, Johanes | 12/31/2026 | 05/17/2022 | Governor | Member, Former public defender | Cook | ||
Richardson, Brian | 12/31/2025 | 04/19/2024 | Governor | Member, Public | Cook | ||
Moragne-Patterson, Yanajaha Kafi | 12/31/2025 | 03/24/2023 | Governor | Member, Public | Cook | ||
Burden, Linnet | 12/31/2025 | 06/09/2023 | Governor | Member, Public | Cook | ||
del Valle, Vanessa | 01/31/2027 | 01/24/2025 | Governor | Member, Criminal Defense Attorney | Cook | ||
Zunkel, Erica | 12/31/2026 | 01/24/2025 | Governor | Member, Law school professor | Cook | ||
Strom, Michael Alan | 12/31/2024 | 06/03/2024 | Governor | Retired Circuit Court Judge | Cook | ||
Snow, Ivory | 12/31/2025 | 08/16/2024 | Governor | Alternate; Public | Cook | ||
Walton, Tameka | 12/31/2025 | 04/19/2024 | Governor | Alternate; Public | Cook | ||
Fenske, Daniel | 12/31/2025 | 05/09/2022 | Governor | Alternate; Criminal defense attorney | Lake | ||
Robinson, Natasha | 12/31/2023 | 09/02/2022 | Governor | Alternate; Former public defender | Cook | ||
Kaplan, Bennett | 12/31/2024 | 03/07/2022 | Governor | Alternate, Former prosecuting attorney | Cook | ||
Vacant | Governor | Alternate, Retired Circuit Court Judge | |||||
Vacant | Governor | Alternate; Public |