SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Sangamon County Board passed a resolution officially establishing the Massey Commission and allocating $175,000 for the group at Wednesday night's special meeting.

Before the resolution went to vote, Board Members Tony DelGiorno and Annete Fulgenzi proposed an amendment that would expand the permissions granted to the Massey Commission. It would guarantee that in the interim, the Sherriff's Department and the Sangamon County Deputy Merit Commission would jointly review applications for deputies, court security officers, and correctional officers. It would also require a vote on extending an offer of employment to the aforementioned applicants.

The amendment also calls for more in-depth background checks, including: a formal FOIA request of all personnel files to public offices the applicant previously worked for, a review of all social media accounts of the applicant, and a review of all civil legal proceedings of the applicant.

It would also deny any applicants who had been convicted for a DUI or other Class A Misdemeanor within five years of the application, or had been convicted of more than one DUI or other Class A Misdemeanor within 10 years of application.

Fulgenzi said that as a woman she sympathized with Crouch, and acknowledged that it was harder to be a woman in law enforcement. "It would be a good safeguard to put in place because people are waiting for her to fail." She said that the amendment would not only serve the Massey Commission, but that it would be beneficial to Crouch as well. 

The amendment was not passed, but council members spoke out for the clear action in response to the death of Sonya Massey. "We should be doing everything we can to rectify the mistakes that led to Sonya Massey's death." said Board Member Marc Ayers. "This was the smallest of steps."

Ayers, one of the strongest supporters of the amendment at the Board Meeting, was appalled at the outcome, calling on his fellow Board members who had voted to shoot down the amendment. "You voted no?" he exclaimed at the Board in front of him. "Wow, What a shameful moment in our county's history."

County Board member Sam Cahnman said it was in the Board's best interest to give the Massey Commission the opportunity to be more involved in decision-making. "Not to pass this amendment is basically an abdication of a responsibility as a board." 

Although the amendment was not passed, it can be brought back to jail committee for discussion.

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