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<a href="/professionals/steven-block/">Steven A. Block</a>, a partner in Chicago in Thompson Hine’s&nbsp;<a href="/services/govt-enforcement-internal-investigations-white-collar-defense/white-collar-defense/">White Collar Defense</a> practice group, was appointed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot to the <a href="https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/cpb/auto_generated/cpb_leadership.html" target="_self" rel="noopener">Chicago Police Board</a>, an independent civilian body that decides disciplinary cases involving Chicago police officers.

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This appointment follows Block’s appointment in 2021 by the Governor to the <a href="https://pili.org/agencies/illinois-torture-inquiry-and-relief-commission/" target="_self" rel="noopener">Illinois Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission</a>. The Illinois Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission (TIRC) was formed by the Illinois General Assembly in 2009 to investigate claims of torture by former Chicago Police Commander Jon Burge or officers under his supervision. In 2016, the Legislature expanded TIRC’s authority to hear claims by individuals alleging torture by police officers unconnected to Burge. TIRC examines claims of tortured confessions and determines whether sufficient evidence of torture exists to merit judicial review. TIRC also refers evidence of criminal acts or professional misconduct to appropriate authorities.

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Block, who joined Thompson Hine in 2018, has extensive government investigative and trial experience. As a Chicago federal prosecutor for 10 years, he investigated, prosecuted and supervised hundreds of cases involving a wide range of criminal offenses, including complex corruption and financial crimes. Block tried 10 federal cases to verdict and briefed and argued nine cases in the Seventh Circuit. Block also served for two years as chief of the Special Prosecutions Bureau in the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, where he supervised more than 70 prosecutors and investigators handling some of the most complex cases in the office, including racketeering, murder, and law enforcement misconduct.

“It is an honor and a privilege to have been selected for these important public boards,” said Block. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on the Police Board and Torture Inquiry and Relief Commission to fairly and impartially evaluate the serious cases brought before us.”

Partner

Steven Block

White-Collar Defense

Thompson Hine Partner Steven A. Block Appointed by Mayor Lightfoot to Chicago Police Board