Ground Broken for Chicago Torture Justice Memorial by John Gay
Construction has begun on the Chicago Torture Justice Memorial (CTJM) in South Side Chicago, featuring designs by John Gay of JAQ Corp International. This memorial pays tribute to those who endured torture by the Chicago Police Department under Commander Jon Burge from 1972 to 1991. Greenprint Partners handled the landscape design, while Studio Blue took care of the graphics. On July 8, survivors like George Ryan and LaTanya Jenifor-Sublett attended the groundbreaking ceremony, with Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, who has supported the project since 2023. The site was purchased for $1 in 2025. The memorial will include a 22-foot helix, an amphitheater, and interactive bronze tablets. It's set to open in 2027.
Key facts
- Groundbreaking occurred July 8, 2026
- Memorial designed by John Gay of JAQ Corp International
- Commemorates torture victims of Chicago Police Department under Jon Burge (1972-1991)
- Located at South Dr. Martin Luther King Drive and East 55th Place
- Site sold to CTJM Foundation in 2025 for $1 per parcel
- Features 22-foot helix, amphitheater, self-pollinator garden, cylindrical timeline
- Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson attended groundbreaking
- Memorial expected to open in 2027
Entities
Artists
- John Gay
- Patricia Nguyen
- John Lee
- Anthony Akindele
Institutions
- JAQ Corp International
- Greenprint Partners
- Studio Blue
- CTJM Foundation
- Nia Architects
- Chicago Monuments Project
- Mellon Foundation
- University of Michigan
Locations
- Chicago
- South Side Chicago
- Bronzeville
- Dr. Martin Luther King Drive
- East 55th Place
- Washington Park
- Obama Presidential Center
- Florida