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Springfield, IL – Governor JB Pritzker signed the Sonya Massey Act into law Tuesday, enacting stricter background checks for police hires statewide. This bipartisan legislation comes in response to the tragic death of Sonya Massey, who was fatally shot by a former Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy inside her home last July.
The Act mandates comprehensive background checks for all prospective law enforcement officers at the local, county, and state levels before they are given a badge and a gun. Agencies must now thoroughly review all prior employment records before making a final job offer. Applicants will be required to authorize the release of complete employment histories, including performance reviews, psychological evaluations, and any records of misconduct or criminal investigations.
“Officers with histories of serious disciplinary issues should not be serving in our communities,” said Pritzker. He emphasized the importance of trust between law enforcement and the public, stating that communities deserve to know responding officers are well-trained and without a history of misconduct.
The law is a direct response to the circumstances surrounding Massey’s death. The officer who shot her, Sean Grayson, had a documented history of concerning behavior at previous police jobs, including a high-speed chase exceeding 110 mph and documented struggles with report writing and aggressive drug enforcement tactics.
These records were not shared with Sangamon County during his hiring process. Grayson has since been fired and charged with first-degree murder.
His trial is scheduled for October in Peoria County.
Massey’s family expressed gratitude for the new law, hoping it will serve as a model for other states. “Thank you for your support and God bless you,” said Massey’s mother, Donna, following the signing.