Sen. Doris Turner introduces bills in response to Sonya Massey killing

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) - State Senator Doris Turner (D-Springfield) has introduced two new bills in response to the killing of Sonya Massey.

Massey was shot and killed inside her own home eight months ago by former Sangamon County Sheriff's Deputy Sean Grayson.

Sen. Turner told WAND News, "I never quit listening, I never quit being in the fight with them, I was just taking my fight to another level with legislation that I believe will have an everlasting impact."

Senate Bill 1953 requires more comprehensive reviews of prospective officers to ensure physical and mental fitness, as well as expanding sheriff's merit boards.

"Those two things are really going to go hand in hand to ensure that hiring officers have all of the information they need to make good hiring decisions," Sen. Turner said.

Senate Bill 1954 would allow for the recall of countywide elected officials, something Sangamon County's Massey Commission has already recommended to the Sangamon County Board.

This is in response to former Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell's initial pushback to calls for his resignation following Massey's death.

Sen. Turner explained, "It's not saying that you should recall someone, it's just clarifying that counties have that opportunity to put that measure on the ballot to give citizens the opportunity to move to a recall."

Turner has known the Massey family for years and is working to keep a promise she made to Sonya's mother in the days following her death.

"Every single time I've ever talked to her," Sen. Turner says, "She has said, 'Doris, the only thing I want is I want justice for my baby.' If we get this legislation across the finish line, that will go a long way to keeping that promise."

The bills now await committee assignments in the Illinois State Senate