Illinois Sen. Doris Turner said the law would determine “the guardrails needed to ensure that there are good officers on our streets.”
Video | The Masseys Weigh on Motions submitted by Grayson’s Attorneys
At a court hearing on July 25th, the judge agreed to hear a defense appeal, including an allegation to maintain Sean Grayson’s right to self-defense.
SPRINGFIELD, Illinois – Illinois Governor JB Pretzker has signed a new law requiring state law enforcement to provide a more comprehensive review of future officers.
According to Illinois Sen. Doris Turner, the bill’s maximum provisions include ensuring that employment agencies have a full employment history for candidates, creating a merit committee to hire sheriff’s deputies in significantly smaller jurisdictions, and ensuring that more comprehensive employment review rules apply to all law enforcement agencies from Township Police to Park Police. Pritzker signed a law called the Sonya Massey Act on August 12th.
Turner, who represents District 48, which includes the Springfield to Decatur area, told USA Today that writing and introducing the bill was the “most important” job of her 25-year legislative career.
“With this law, I really believe that if Sonya had been there before, he might still be alive,” said Turner, who sponsored the bill. “We cannot order who to hire, but we can make sure we have all the information about available applicants.”
What happened to Sonya Massey?
Massey, 36, the mother of two, was killed in a Springfield home on July 6, 2024. A horrifying video of the encounter shows her side-fire at an unarmed Massey as she apologises and spews for cover.
Her death sparked widespread public protests and police brutality, which later prompted the Justice Department’s investigation. State and local officials also sought a review of the Sheriff’s Office’s employment practices after it was revealed that Grayson had a history of complaints involving women.
The sheriff who hired Grayson later resigned amid roaring criticism. Grayson was fired from his position after being charged with multiple charges, including murder.
He is scheduled to go to trial in Peoria County on October 20th.
Did law enforcement help draft the bill?
After Massey’s death, former law enforcement officers and experts told USA Today they had created conditions for candidates who are suspicious of the looser review requirements. Turner said the Illinois Police Commissioners Association and the Illinois Sheriff’s Association have helped draft a bill with lawmakers to prevent similar incidents from happening.
Kenny Winslow, Chief of the Illinois State Police Association, said the association believes there should be a minimum background standard for individuals seeking to protect their communities and provide services.
“We are one step closer to ensuring that background checks are more thorough and that only candidates of the highest moral character are within the police,” Winslow said.
Illinois lawmakers believe the bill is the first to post such strict employment review requirements in law enforcement.
Massey’s family saw the governor sign the bill
Pritzker signed the bill with the eyes of Donna Massey, Sonya Massey’s mother. Sonya Massey’s father, James Wilburn of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and her two children, Malachi and Summer, both attended.
Pretzker, who met the Massey family after filming last summer, said Sonya Massey was in his mind.
“She loved, loved, and quickly took her away from us,” Pretzker said before signing. “What we’re doing today should serve as a national model for other states and other jurisdictions.”
What are the bills?
According to Pritzker, the measures will help prevent similar tragedy, better equipped law enforcement, and “continue to work to build a judicial system that will keep our communities safe and protect all citizens.”
Officials with a history of serious disciplinary issues “should not serve these capabilities in our community, and their history should not only be revealed after a disaster occurs,” Pritzker added.
Turner said he is particularly proud to work with the Illinois Sheriff’s Association and the Illinois Chief of Police to “determine the guardrails needed to ensure that we protect our community, protect our community, and provide our services.”
The measure, known as the 1953 Senate Bill, ensures fitness for officer duties as police officers before offers of employment are made. The law expands the creation of a county Sheriff’s Merit Committee and Sheriff’s Merit Committee, which has a population of at least 75,000 people.
The Illinois home and the Illinois Senate overwhelmingly passed the bill with bipartisan support.
Things you need to know about Sean P. Grayson
Grayson, who was hired by the department in May 2023 and paid just under $56,000 a year, arrived in Sangamon County on a succession of missteps in his name, including two DUIs, discharge from the US military for “serious misconduct,” and complaints from him from law enforcement officials against him.
He had been in five law enforcement jobs since 2020, some of which were part-time and overlapping with each other.
An employment interview with Sheriff Sangamon warned that Grayson “needs to be slowed to make a good decision.” They hired him anyway.
A USA Today review of public records also found him to be the subject of several complaints claiming belligerent behaviour towards women.
Family: “Caution and optimistic”
Turner, a longtime friend of several generations of the Massey family, said he spoke to Massey about a week before the fatal shooting.
Massey was “not just a member or someone I casually knew,” Turner said.
Massey’s cousin Sonte Massey said he was overjoyed about the signature but was “cautiously optimistic.”
“We experience small victory, but we understand that this is the beginning of a painstaking journey for justice and fairness,” he told State Journal-Register, part of the USA Today Network.
