Latest news with #MasseyCommission
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
2 Sonya Massey bills pass House, head to Governor's desk
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — New legislation is heading to Governor Pritzker's desk that lawmakers hope will prevent future tragedies such as the killing of Sonya Massey. On Thursday, the Illinois House of Representatives passed two bills that were sponsored by Senator Doris Turner and Representative Kam Buckner. One — SB 1953 — aims to revise police hiring procedures by requiring law enforcement agencies to take a more comprehensive review into an applicant's past employment. Their former employers would have to make available their employment records for inspection by the hiring agency prior to a 'final offer of employment' being made. Upcoming trial dates for Sean Grayson announced The second bill — SB 1954 — allows for Sangamon County to establish a recall procedure for elected officials, a procedure that would be up for a referendum in November of 2026. Both bills previously passed the Senate — 1953 unanimously and 1954 by a party-line vote. With the House's approval, the bills now only need Governor Pritzker's signature to become law. Prior to the bills' passage in the House, Turner and Buckner hosted a news conference to explain the legislation and answer questions. Turner was a friend of the Massey family and knew Sonya personally. 'This is very difficult for me, because this is not just another tragedy in my district. This is one that's very, very close to me' Turner said during an opening statement. 'Sonya was not just a constituent or someone I knew casually…Sonya was a regular visitor to my home. We actually visited on my front porch a week before her murder. During our visits, she always called me 'Auntie.'' Guided by the calls of Sonya's mother for justice, Turner helped create the Massey Commission and started writing the legislation immediately. She had both the support of the Massey Commission, the Illinois Sheriff's Association and the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police. Turner and Buckner were joined at the news conference by Tony Romanucci, a lawyer representing the Massey family, and Sonya's father James Wilburn. All four expressed that Sean Grayson,, the former sheriff's deputy who shot Massey, should never have been hired by the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office. Sangamon Co. distributing new mental health survey to residents WCIA previously reported that before joining law enforcement, Grayson pleaded guilty in two misdemeanor DUI cases and that he had a history of disciplinary issues at his previous jobs in the Logan County Sheriff's Office and the Girard Police Department in Macoupin County. Former Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell said he was aware of the DUI charges, but he was not aware of Grayson's history in Logan County. Campbell's office received no documents from its counterpart that would have helped to make a hiring decision. 'You need to know the full story, the disciplinary files, the internal investigations, the psychological evaluations. And you need to do it before they are on our streets or worse, off in our homes,' Buckner said. 'Every department deserves to hire with integrity. We owe it to Sonya. We owe it to her father. We owe it to every family who's lived through this kind of pain or who praise if they never have to.' 'They want good officers on the street. They don't want bad officers to be hired,' Turner added. 'And that was one of the reasons why I believe that the Police Chiefs' and Sheriffs' Associations were so eager to work with me on this and come to the table very early on back in the summer and continue to work on it.' SB 1953 also expands the creation of police merit boards and commissions by lowering the population requirement. Current law says that only counties with a population of 1 million or more can establish these boards and commissions; SB 1953 lowers that requirement to 75,000. 'Had Senate Bill 1953 been in place when Sean Grayson was applying for that position, he would not have been hired,' Romanucci said. 'We would not be here having this press conference and Sonya would be alive. So that is how important this bill is.' Ben Crump, legal team speak out on 'historic settlement' for Sonya Massey's family If SB 1953 is signed by Governor Pritzker, Illinois would become the first state in the nation to pass this kind of legislation. It was legislation that James Wilburn called for in the aftermath of his daughter's death and it is legislation that he wants to see implemented nationwide. 'I commit now that this kind of law that Senator Turner and Leader Buckner have introduced in Illinois, it should go across all the states of the United States so that no other family has to go through what we're going through,' Wilburn said. 'I'm just so thankful today that we're right here at the precipice of making this law in Illinois. And Illinois can be the leader in our country. They say 'So goes California, so goes the United States.' I think 'So goes Illinois,' as the leader and the first one to pass this kind of legislation. This needs to go across the whole United States. And that's my commitment here today that that happens.' SB 1954, meanwhile, was created in response to the calls for Campbell to resign and his initial resistance to doing so. Sangamon County does not currently have a way of recalling elected officials from their positions. To recall a countywide elected official, electors of the county would be required to submit petitions containing signatures equal to at least 15% of the total votes cast for governor in the preceding election. The news conference and the passage of the two bills come a day after the Illinois Supreme Court heard arguments on Grayson's pretrial detention. 'It is tough to think about the timing, but it also is just proof positive that we're doing the right thing and we're doing all we can to make sure this doesn't happen again,' Turner said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Yahoo
Sonya Massey's cousin said it 'might be beneficial' for murder trial to be moved
A cousin of Sonya Massey said March 24 that it "might be beneficial" if the murder trial of a former Sangamon County Sheriff's deputy charged with the Springfield woman's July 6 fatal shooting is moved out of Sangamon County. Sontae Massey, speaking to the media after a brief status hearing for Sean P. Grayson in Sangamon County Court, said the family "anticipated" the motion that was filed by Grayson's attorneys, Daniel Fultz and Mark Wykoff, seeking a change of place of trial, commonly known as a change of venue. That motion will be heard before Presiding Judge Ryan Cadagin on April 8. More: Judge will hear motion to move Grayson's trial out of Sangamon County By moving the trial out of the county, the defense then "can't claim that it was an unfair trial," Massey said. "We all saw what happened and we all know he's guilty, at least that's my opinion." Grayson, who is white, shot Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman and the mother of two children, in the face while in her home after he aggressively yelled for Massey to put down a pot of boiling water. The shooting, captured on Grayson's partner's body-worn camera, has gained international attention. Teresa Haley of Haley & Associates and a friend of the Massey family said regardless of where the trial is moved, "the evidence remains the same and the family just wants justice for Sonya and for all of us." Grayson appeared at the brief March 24 before Judge Adam Giganti via Zoom from Decatur, where he continues to be jailed. Grayson was seated next to attorney Brooke M. Burke of Brown, Hay and Stephens, while Wykoff was in the Springfield courtroom. Sontae Massey also said the family pledged to be "more involved" with the Massey Commission, as it considered recommendations for hiring a managing director and a public engagement coordinator. Massey said commission members reached out the family. More: Accessing local journalism is even easier with the State Journal-Register app The family has at times been at loggerheads with the citizens commission formed in the aftermath of Sonya Massey's death, though Sontae Massey said he remained "cautiously optimistic" about the commission moving forward. "I think the commission has our family in mind in everything they do, and they wanted to make the commission works," he said. "They've been very gracious in regard to reaching out to the family and making sure they have a voice." A number of Massey family members, including Sonya Massey's mother, Donna, attended the March 24 hearing. Sontae Massey said it shouldn't surprise anyone that the family continues to show solidarity. "We have to," he said. "How can we expect the public show solidarity with our city unless we demonstrate that with our own family? It's important for us to be seen, to be heard and to be together." Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; sspearie@ X, This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Massey family: Grayson trial potentially being moved 'might be beneficial'
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Letter: Massey Commission should request independent investigation into sheriff's office
Six Sangamon County Board members have requested the Massey Commission to renew its call for an independent review of the hiring practices and the policies of the Sangamon County Sheriff's Department. While the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division wrapped up an investigation into the sheriff's office and central dispatch with an agreement on Jan. 16, the letter noted that it didn't specifically address department hiring practices. Those hiring practices have been criticized in the aftermath of the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, a 36-year Black woman and the mother of two children, in her home in an unincorporated neighborhood of Springfield on July 6. More: DOJ reaches agreement with sheriff's department, dispatch over investigation The Democrats also called for the county and the sheriff's department to release any and all information requested as part of the review. A former Sangamon County Sheriff's deputy, Sean P. Grayson, has been charged with first-degree murder in an internationally celebrated case. The request comes as the county board Tuesday will consider a $10 million out-of-court settlement with the Massey family. Grayson's criminal history shows he had two DUIs and a questionable discharge from the military. Grayson had also been with six different law enforcement agencies within four years before catching on with Sangamon County in May 2023. Grayson used his future father-in-law, Scott Butterfield, a former Sangamon County sheriff's deputy for 25-plus years, as an employment reference. The letter, dated Feb. 5 but only shared with the media on Feb. 9, was authored by Tony DelGiorno, the leader of the Democratic caucus who represents District 23. It was also signed by Marc Ayers (District 12), Sam Cahnman (District 18), Vera Small (District 19), Gina Lathan (District 22) and Kevin McGuire (District 28). DelGiorno said his "gut reaction" was that the investigation was short circuited "likely due to the impending restoration of the Trump presidency." Two days after the agreement was signed, USA Today reported that the outgoing DOJ Civil Rights Division Director Kristen Clarke conceded that the division sought to wrap up as many investigations as possible at the end of the Biden Administration and enter into police reform agreements that might have the best chance of success. DelGiorno and Lathan in October had implored the Massey Commission, an independent group formed in the aftermath of shooting, to request an independent investigation of the hiring practices and the policies of the sheriff's department. After voting in favor of the recommendation, it sent a request to the DOJ, the Illinois Attorney General and the Illinois State Police. The Massey Commission meets at Ruby Recreational Community Center, 101 N. 16th St., at 6 p.m. Monday. At its November meeting, Massey Commission co-chair Dr. Jerry Kruse couldn't say if the investigation was a result of the commission's letter. The two-year agreement between the DOJ and the county requires review of the county's policies, practices, and procedures while relaying reports to the DOJ made of discriminatory conduct. "It is obvious that the agreement between Sangamon County and the DOJ will not be adequately enforced, if it is enforced at all," DelGiorno wrote. "The Massey Commission, the Massey family and the people of Sangamon County deserve the answers that a timely, thorough, and thoughtful investigation would yield." Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; sspearie@ X, This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Six board members want Massey Commission to renew investigation request
Yahoo
10-02-2025
- Yahoo
Massey family, Sangamon County reach agreement to $10M settlement
Sangamon County has reached an agreement with the family of Sonya Massey through mediation on an out-of-court settlement. The settlement, in the amount of $10 million, would need final approval from the county board at its Tuesday meeting. The agreement followed extensive confidential discussions involving legal representatives for the county and the Massey family. More: Illinois Supreme Court will take up State's petition on Sean Grayson's detention A memo discussing the parameters and timeline of the settlement was obtained by The State Journal-Register Friday. The settlement, agreed upon by both parties on Feb. 4, could avoid a potentially protracted lawsuit. Through a county spokesman, Sangamon County Administrator Brian McFadden said the settlement would be paid from "reserves and contingency lines within the various funds of county government." The county, McFadden added, is able "to establish and maintain reserves to cover situations such as this, a large one-time expense outside the normal operations of county government. We anticipate for such instances, and we plan accordingly." Massey, a 36-year-old Black woman and the mother of two children, was fatally shot in the face inside of her home in the 2800 block of Hoover Avenue of in an unincorporated neighborhood of Springfield the morning of July 6. More: 33 Illinois counties explore formation of a new state. Here's what could happen Sangamon County Sheriff's deputies were dispatched to the home after Massey called 911 about a potential prowler. Now former Sangamon County Sheriff's deputy Sean P. Grayson shot Massey even as she put her arms in the air and said "I'm sorry" while ducking for cover. Grayson aggressively yelled for Massey to put down a pot of boiling water. Grayson, who is white, has been charged with first-degree murder. He is currently being jailed in Decatur and is next due in court on March 24. Video of the shooting, captured on another deputy's body-worn camera, has caused international outrage. The shooting led to the formation of the Massey Commission, which meets Monday, and an investigation by the U.S. Department of the Justice into race and disability discrimination in policing and dispatch services by the sheriff's office and other county entities. Under a memorandum of agreement reached with the DOJ on Jan. 16, the sheriff's office will "review and update policies, rules and procedures" with the State's Attorney's Office. The agreement requires the sheriff's department, dispatch and the county to make reports every six months to the DOJ about any complaints it receives. In December, speaking before the Massey Commission, Sangamon County Sheriff Paula Crouch outlined an investigation manual for new hires, including the creation of a sheriff's merit commission. Grayson's hire drew scrutiny because of two DUI offenses before he became a police officer and a separation from the U.S. Army that listed "misconduct (serious offense)" as the reason. The memo regarding the financial settlement, written by Chairman Andy Van Meter, "takes into account county finances and the use of public dollars and acknowledges what county taxpayers can realistically afford. Due to the long-standing fiscal responsibility of Sangamon County, the settlement will not result in a tax increase, additional debt, or cuts to county services." Van Meter noted that "no price paid can take back the actions of a rogue former deputy, but this agreement is an effort to provide some measure of recompense to the Massey family for their unimaginable loss. The county remains committed to working with the community to strengthen policies to try to ensure tragedies like this never happen again." Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; sspearie@ X, This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Sonya Massey's family and Sangamon County reach $10M settlement
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sangamon Co. Board Dems ask Massey Commission for independent investigation
SANGAMON COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) — The Sangamon County Board Democrats are asking the Massey Commission to renew a request for an independent investigation into the Sangamon County Sheriff's Department's hiring practices and policies. In January, the Department of Justice announced it was closing its investigation into the sheriff's office following the death of Sonya Massey. In July, Massey, a Black woman, was shot and killed by Sangamon County Sheriff's deputy Sean Grayson in her own home after she call 911 for reports of a 'prowler.' Grayson is charged with first degree murder. In the agreement, the Department of Justice said that they did not make a finding that the county and the sherriff's office provided services in a discriminatory manner. The agency's investigation would be closed on the basis of a two-year agreement with the County, requiring the review of things like policies, practices and procedures. Sangamon County settles with Sonya Massey's family for $10 million It also requires the sheriff's office to provide training in a number of areas, 'including non-discriminatory policing and interactions with individuals with behavioral health disabilities.' While reports of discriminatory conduct would need to be relayed, the agreement did not cover hiring practices. In a letter sent to the Massey Commission, signed by Sangamon County Board Democrats, DelGiorno said he was worried the investigation had been cut short — and that it may have been wrapped up to give it the 'best chance of success.' DelGiorno said now, DOJ leadership is reviewing agreements entered into in the last 90 days of the Biden Administration and 'suggested it may reconsider police reform agreements negotiated by the Biden administration.' 'It is obvious that the Agreement between Sangamon County and the DOJ will not beadequately enforced, if it is enforced at all,' DelGiorno said in a letter to the Massey Commission. Massey Commission recommends sheriff recall initiative The original request was for a 'full review of the Sangamon County Sheriff's Department hiringpractices, procedures, review of complaints, disciplinary actions, and such other subjectmatter as said agencies deem relevant,' according to DelGiorno. Only a full view of the mistakes made, DelGiorno said, would allow for the government to learn from them. Now, the Sangamon County Board Democrats are asking the commission to renew their call for an outside review from the Illinois Attorney General's Office and State Police. According to DelGiorno, the commission agreed on this request in October. Now, if it is not conducted in time, the board said a Request for Proposal (RFP) should be published seeking an independent investigator. WCIA has reached out to a representative from Sangamon County for a comment on this request and is waiting to hear back. The letter to the Massey Commission can be found below: Letter-to-Massey-CommissionDownload Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
