IL bill requiring thorough background checks of police hires headed to
governor
[May 16, 2025]
By Kevin Bessler | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – In the wake of the highly publicized shooting of a
Springfield woman by a police officer, a measure requiring more
stringent background checks for police hires has passed both chambers of
the Illinois General Assembly.
Sonya Massey called 911 early on the morning of July 6, 2024, to report
a suspected prowler outside her home. Then-Sangamon County Sheriff’s
Deputy Sean Grayson and another deputy responded, according to
body-camera footage.
Grayson pointed out a pot of boiling water on the stove, and as Massey
retrieved it and was handling the pot, Grayson yelled at her to drop the
pot, and as she ducked, he fired three shots, striking her once.
Grayson has been charged with first-degree murder and is being held in
the Macon County Jail.
Prior to the shooting, Grayson had been discharged from the Army for
serious misconduct and had worked for six law enforcement agencies in
central Illinois in four years.
State Sen. Doris Turner’s legislation would require law enforcement
agencies to conduct a more comprehensive review of a prospective
officer’s past employment.
“When it comes to hiring police officers, we want to ensure that we have
the most qualified people,” said Turner, D-Springfield.
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James Wilburn, Sonya Massey's father
BlueRoomStream
 James Wilburn, Massey’s father, said Grayson should
never have been hired by the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Department.
“Through the good old boy system, this man should have never been
given a gun and a badge to kill my child,” Wilburn said at a news
conference Thursday in Springfield.
The measure would require background checks in the
private sector as well. During floor debate, state Rep. Dennis
Tipsword, R-Metamora, who is a police officer, said that could lead
to complications.
“We may have a good applicant, we may have a good candidate, but if
one private agency or one law enforcement agency doesn't get back to
us, that person doesn’t get in the door,” said Tipsword.
Turner’s bill also would expand the creation of sheriff’s merit
boards and sheriff’s merit commissions for counties with a
population of at least 75,000.
The measure is now headed to the governor to be signed into law.
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