SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has signed legislation prompted by the 2024 fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, a woman shot and killed by a Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy.
Senate Bill 1953, known as the “Sonya Massey Bill,” passed the state Senate unanimously and cleared the House on a 101-12 vote, ABC7 Chicago reports. It creates stricter hiring requirements for law enforcement agencies by mandating a full review of an applicant’s prior employment and disciplinary history before a final offer can be made.
Under the law, agencies must:
- Obtain a signed release from applicants authorizing all previous employers — law enforcement or otherwise — to provide complete personnel records, including background investigation materials, fitness-for-duty examinations, work performance records, and any records of criminal, civil or administrative investigations.
- Receive these records within 14 days of request, with the option for an additional 14-day extension. Agencies producing the records must certify that they have provided all responsive documents and disclose any known information that could negatively affect the applicant’s fitness for duty.
- Produce records without redaction, except for personal identifiers such as Social Security numbers and financial account numbers. Settlement or nondisclosure agreements cannot be used to withhold relevant information.
- Review all materials before extending a final offer of employment.
The legislation also grants immunity from liability to agencies and individuals who provide this information in good faith.
Background on the case
Massey, 36, called 911 on July 6, 2024, to report a possible prowler at her home. According to county officials, Massey had experienced mental health issues and had been the subject of several 911 calls from herself and her mother in the days before the shooting.
Former Deputy Sean Grayson and another deputy responded. Body-worn camera footage released by Illinois State Police showed an exchange in Massey’s kitchen during which she picked up a pot of hot water from her stove.
After Massey made a remark to Grayson — “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus” — Grayson drew his firearm and fired three shots, striking her in the head.
Shortly after the shooting, an Illinois State Police use-of-force report determined the shooting was unjustified, concluding that while Grayson was permitted to draw his weapon for compliance, he escalated the situation by advancing toward Massey. He was fired from the sheriff’s office and later indicted on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm and official misconduct. Grayson, who had worked for six different law enforcement agencies in four years and had two prior DUI arrests, has pleaded not guilty, ABC7 Chicago reports. His trial is scheduled for October.
The shooting led to the early retirement of Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell and a Justice Department agreement requiring additional training for the sheriff’s office on non-discriminatory policing, de-escalation and interactions involving individuals with mental health disabilities.
Pritzker said the legislation aims to prevent similar instances by ensuring agencies have full access to an applicant’s employment history before hiring.
“Communities should be able to trust that when they call the police to their home, the responding officer will be well-trained and without a history of bias or misconduct,” he said during the bill signing.
Massey’s family hopes the law will serve as a model for other states seeking to increase accountability in police hiring.
