WATCH: Sonya Massey bill requiring full employment history for police candidates now law

By Greg Bishop | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – A measure requiring police agencies across the state of Illinois to get full employment history for prospective officers is now law.

Sonya Massey was shot and killed by a Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy in her home after she called for help from a suspected prowler in July 2024. Sean Grayson, the former deputy, faces murder and other charges. It was found Grayson had a checkered employment history, leading to the sheriff retiring.

State Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, passed Senate Bill 1953 to require full employment history checks be completed. The measure was signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Monday. Turner said she told the family, which were not just constituents of hers but friends, that she would get justice.

“In my 25 years of elected office, this is the least political thing I have ever done. But it’s the most important thing I have ever done,” Turner said fighting back tears during the bill signing ceremony.

While it doesn’t block police agencies from hiring bad candidates, Turner said it brings accountability.

“For it’s law enforcement being accountable for the officers that they put out on the streets to do that policing,” Turner said. “There always has to be a level of accountability in everything. I get there is no law that we can write that would say ‘Sangamon County, you can cannot hire this person.’ There’s no law that you can write.”

Turner said much more can be done to shore up policing to make it more accountable to the communities they serve.

The Massey Commission of local community stakeholders continues their work for more recommendations for policy changes with a 12-month report expected soon.

Members of the Massey family in attendance during the bill signing said they were grateful for the legislation.