Illinois Enacts Groundbreaking Law Requiring Transparency in Police Officer Background Checks Following Sonya Massey Shooting
In response to the tragic shooting of Sonya Massey, an unarmed Black woman in her home by a sheriff’s deputy last summer, Illinois has enacted a groundbreaking law requiring police applicants to release their personal background records.
Governor JB Pritzker signed the legislation on Tuesday, mandating disclosure of various documents such as job performance reports, non-public settlement agreements, and civil and criminal court records. The legislation was sponsored by Senator Doris Turner and Representative Kam Buckner in a bid to strengthen police accountability.
Massey, a 36-year-old single mother of two teenagers with strong religious faith and mental health struggles, had called 911 on July 6, 2024, reporting a suspected prowler outside her home in Springfield. Sean Grayson, the deputy responding to the call, ended up shooting Massey after confusion over a hot pot and her response “I rebuke you in the name of Jesus” led him to believe she intended to harm him.
Grayson’s background check revealed several red flags, including two DUI convictions within a year that resulted in his dismissal from the Army, multiple part-time law enforcement jobs in six years, and allegations of sloppiness with evidence and impulsiveness.
The new law requires applicants to sign a waiver allowing past employers to release unredacted background materials, including job performance reports, physical and psychological fitness-for-duty reports, and sealed court documents such as nondisclosure or separation agreements. The hiring agency may also obtain court approval to access sealed documents and can compel former employers to hand over records.
James Wilburn, Massey’s father, expressed the hope that similar legislation would be implemented nationwide, stating, “People should not be able to go from department to department without their records following them.”
Kenny Winslow, executive director of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, commented that the law sets a minimum standard for background checks and encourages departments to improve their procedures. Despite knowing Grayson’s shortcomings, Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell had made him repeat the state’s 16-week police training course.
Grayson is currently facing charges of first-degree murder, aggravated battery with a firearm, and official misconduct, and has pleaded not guilty. His trial is scheduled for October. The incident has received international news coverage, sparked activist rallies, and resulted in a $10 million civil court settlement.