SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — In a letter to the Massey Commission, the Sangamon County Board Democrats are asking the group to renew efforts for an independent investigation into the hiring practices and policies of the Sangamon County Sheriff's Department. 

This comes after the Department of Justice announced it closed its investigation in January. 

Massey was shot by former Sangamon County Sheriff's Deputy Sean Grayson, who is currently on trial for murder. The shooting was captured on police body camera video.

In a letter from Sangamon County Board Democrats to the Massey Commission, Democratic Leader Tony DelGiorno said, the DOJ investigation had been cut short and that it may have been wrapped up to give it the "best chance of success."

Download PDF Sangamon County Board Democrats ask for investigation

DelGiorno said, Dept. of Justice leadership is reviewing agreements in the last 90 days of the Biden Administration and in the letter he is calling on the department reconsiders police reform agreements negotiated by the Biden Administration.

"It is obvious that the Agreement between Sangamon County and the DOJ will not be adequately enforced, if it is enforced at all." said DelGiorno.

The group is asking for an outside review of the Sheriff's Department from the Illinois Attorney General's Office and State Police.

DelGiorno said, "only from having the full view of the mistakes made can we, as a county government, learn from them. The need for this investigation to bring to light what acts or omissions occurred that resulted in Sonya Massey's murder by a county deputy continues. Otherwise, the Massey Commission, in its work, does not know what it does not know."

According to the letter, the Massey Commission agreed on this request in October. DelGiorno said, "if those do not publicly agree to conduct a review in a reasonable period of time, a Request for Proposal (RFP) should be published seeking an independent investigator."

This letter comes after Sonya Massey's family reached a $10 million settlement agreement with Sangamon County following her death. 

According to a filing, the settlement was met this week after mediation and discussions between the county and Massey's estate. 

"This settlement is part of Sangamon County’s ongoing efforts to address the tragic death of Sonya Massey," Sangamon County Board Chair Andy Van Meter said in a statement. "In addition to this agreement, the county is focused on improving its policies and practices through its memorandum of agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice." 

The settlement has to be approved by the Sangamon County Board, which is expected to take up the matter at its Feb. 11 meeting.

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