In a move to increase accountability and prevent individuals with a history of misconduct from serving in law enforcement, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker has signed the Sonya Massey Act into law.
The legislation, which mandates more comprehensive background checks for police officer candidates, is named in memory of Sonya Massey, a 36-year-old woman who was tragically killed in her own home by a sheriff’s deputy in July 2024.
Altogether, the signing of this act marks a significant step in police reform for the state. It directly addresses the systemic failures that led to Massey’s death.
The former Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy who shot her had a documented history of misconduct in previous law enforcement roles, however this information was not adequately shared or considered during his hiring process.
The Heart of the Act: Mandating Transparency
Under the new law, police and sheriff’s departments are prohibited from making a final offer of employment without first conducting a thorough review of a candidate’s complete employment history in the hope that deadly incidents such as this cease.
This includes:
- Work performance records from all previous employers, not just law enforcement agencies.
- Disciplinary records, including any internal investigations or findings of misconduct.
- Duty-related physical and psychological fitness examinations.
- Any criminal records associated with the applicant.
Subsequently, the act requires applicants to authorize the release of these records, ensuring that hiring agencies have a complete picture of a candidate’s past conduct and suitability for a position of public trust.
Furthermore, this measure is designed to prevent so-called “wandering officers” with problematic histories from moving from one department to another.
Sonya Massey should be alive today
In July 2024, Massey called 911 for help at her Springfield-area home after she suspected someone was trespassing. The responding deputy, Sean Grayson, who had a history of concerning behavior at other departments, fatally shot her soon thereafter as a fellow officer stood by.
Grayson shot and killed Massey as she was checking on a pot of boiling water in her kitchen. She said “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus.” However, prosecutors have said Grayson asked her to move the pot off the stove. Prosecutors also stated she never posed a danger that justified the use of lethal force.
Sangamon County Jail/WISC
Grayson was indicted by a grand jury on July 17, 2024 on three counts of first-degree murder. Including one count each of aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct in connection with the shooting.
Massey’s family championed the bill
Subsequent investigations revealed that his record of misconduct was not properly vetted by the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office.
Massey’s family, along with community advocates and legislators, championed the bill. Furthermore, they argued that her death could have been prevented with more stringent hiring protocols.
Altogether, the Sonya Massey Act ensures that individuals tasked with protecting the public are held to the highest standards of conduct and character.
Moreover, the new law has been met with broad support from various sectors. It’s viewed as a necessary reform to build greater trust between communities and the law enforcement agencies that serve them. By ensuring that past misconduct is no longer overlooked, the Sonya Massey Act aims to create a safer Illinois and honor the memory of a life senselessly lost.
Grayson is scheduled to go on trial for Sonya Massey’s death in October in Peoria County. The Illinois Supreme Court is weighing a request from Grayson to be released from jail ahead of his murder trial.