Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Nationally-known attorney Benjamin Crump says in at least two other cases of officer-involved shootings in the country, nothing happened.
Then, Sonya Massey was shot and killed by now-former Sheriffs Deputy Sean Grayson, and something has finally been done, thanks to Illinois lawmakers, now that Governor Pritzker has signed “Sonya’s Bill” into law, requiring stricter background checks of police officer candidates.
“Because of the leadership in the legislature, and Governor JB Pritzker, we know that Sonya Massey would never be forgotten, because the Sonya Massey Law will live forever,” said Crump, at a news conference Tuesday afternoon. “And, prayerfully, it will be a precedent set in law that will get passed through other states in America.”
Crump has helped represent the Massey family since Sonya’s death. He praises the Massey family for their dedication to, and conviction for, the cause.
Chicago-based attorney Tony Romanucci has represented people like George Floyd’s family and others, and also says “Sonya’s Law” is a big deal.
“This is common-sense legislation because it’s hard to believe that we didn’t have a strong-enough law in this state, let alone in our country that said ‘You must hire qualified police officers,'” said Romanucci.
Romanucci says before now, police officers in Illinois could get hired without having to pass a test. Officers don’t usually get sent to a training academy until after they’re hired.
