Latest news with #SenateBill1953
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Illinois bill calls for more thorough review of police hiring after Sonya Massey's death
The Brief The Illinois Senate passed a bill that calls for a more thorough review of prospective police officers' work history. The sponsor of the bill cited the police shooting death of Sonya Massey near Springfield last year. The former officer charged in her death had worked at six different police agencies in just a few years before the shooting death. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. - The Illinois Senate approved a bill that calls for a more thorough review of prospective police officers' work history in the wake of the police shooting death of Sonya Massey last year in Sangamon County. What we know Senate Bill 1953, sponsored by Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield) would require law enforcement agencies to "conduct a more comprehensive review of a prospective officer's past employment to ensure his or her physical and psychological fitness for duty," according to a news release. The Senate unanimously passed the bill on Wednesday. It now heads to the House of Representatives for passage in that chamber. The backstory Turner's office said the legislation was filed in response to the shooting death of Massey, 36, in her Springfield area home in July of 2024. She was experiencing a mental health crisis when she called officers to her home. Sean Grayson, a Sangamon County sheriff's deputy at the time, was charged with first-degree murder in connection with the killing. He pleaded not guilty. Grayson's career included short stints as a part-time officer at three small police departments and a full-time job at a fourth department in central Illinois, according to The Associated Press. He had also worked full time at another sheriff's office in Illinois before being hired by the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office in May 2023, a little over a year before Massey's death. The Sangamon County Board approved a $10 million settlement with Massey's family earlier this year. What they're saying Turner said in a statement that her legislation came about after hearing from local officials and community members seeking steps to prevent such police shootings in the future. "Sonya's tragic murder brought to light the unjust hiring practices within the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office," she said. "The legislative measures come from conversations with state and county officials, law enforcement and community members. We have to take the necessary steps to ensure this never happens again." The Assocated Press contributed to this report.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Illinois Sen.'s Sonya Massey bills advance through committee
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — State Senator Doris Turner's two measures in response to the murder of Sonya Massey advanced on Thursday. Both measures passed through the Senate Executive Committee on April 3. Senate Bill 1953 would require law enforcement to conduct a more comprehensive review of a prospective officer's past employment to ensure their physical and psychological fitness for duty as a police officer before making any offer of employment. IL DCFS attorney fired after report claims she worked at bank 'on State time' To guarantee the highest level of integrity and professionalism in the hiring process of sheriff's deputies and other personnel, the legislation would expand the creation of sheriff's merit boards as well as sheriff's merit commissions for counties with a minimum population of 75,000. 'Sonya's tragic murder brought to light the unjust hiring practices within the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office,' Turner (D-Springfield) said. 'The legislative measures come from conversations with state and county officials, law enforcement and community members. We have to take the necessary steps to ensure this never happens again.' On top of this, Turner is leading Senate Bill 1954 which would allow a county board to place a referendum creating a recall process on the ballot for the 2026 General Election. If a majority of votes approve the referendum, the county will adopt a recall process for countywide elected officials. Crime Stoppers offering more money for Wyndham hotel vandalism tips In order 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. Both Senate Bill 1953 and Senate Bill 1954 passed the Senate Executive Committee and are now headed to the full Senate. 'Our community needs to have trust in those who are elected to serve,' Turner said. 'My hope is that these measures will honor Sonya's life by showing our commitment to enhancing that trust. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
