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That was last November. Little happened as a result of the hearing, and this spring, after new aldermen were sworn in and several incidents of police abuse were captured on video, the council’s black caucus called for another meeting on Burge. The stated purpose, according to their resolution, was “to invite Special State’s Attorneys Edward J. Egan and Robert D. Boyle, along with [police] Superintendent Philip J. Cline, to hearings to discuss the Special State’s Attorneys findings published in their report.”
Then he announced that the hearing’s third would-be guest of honor, outgoing superintendent Phil Cline, had sent one of his deputies. It was a good indication of how seriously Carothers and the Daley administration were taking the hearing.
“You can ask him a question in the hallway if you want,” Carothers snapped. “But today we’re here for questions related to the resolution set forth by your colleagues that you may have even signed. You are asking questions that are totally out of that scope, that have nothing to do with this resolution.”
“Thank you, Mr. Chairman.”
Later Carothers told reporters it wasn’t the City Council’s right or responsibility to work out settlements for police cases, and he was skeptical that the city could legally get off the hook for covering Burge’s pension or legal defense. “I don’t believe we have the power to do that. If we do, I assume that’s something we would have already done.”
