Governor JB Pritzker signed a bill into law today creating stricter hiring requirements for law enforcement. “Sonya’s Law” is a response to the shooting death of Sonya Massey in her Springfield home last July. Now-former Sangamon County Sheriff deputy Sean Grayson is charged with first-degree murder in her death.
The legislation requires police and sheriff departments to conduct more thorough background checks for potential hires. This includes reviewing a candidate’s criminal record and any investigations by previous employers. State Senator Doris Turner believes this law will prevent people with backgrounds like Grayson’s from ever joining law enforcement. Grayson’s trial begins in October in Peoria.
