Gov. JB Pritzker signed a monumental plan into law Tuesday to require law enforcement have stricter hiring practices following the murder of Sonya Massey.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — Gov. JB Pritzker signed a monumental plan into law Tuesday to require law enforcement to have stricter hiring practices following the murder of Sonya Massey.

Police departments will not be able to make final offers of employment for probationary or law enforcement officers unless they review all past employment records, including background investigation materials, duty-related physical and psychological fitness-for-duty examinations, work performance records, arrests, convictions, and any records of criminal, civil, or administrative investigations of conduct.

"Officers with histories of serious disciplinary issues should not be serving in those capacities, and those histories should not come to light only after disaster happens," Pritzker said. 

The legislation also expands the creation of sheriff's merit boards and commissions for counties with populations of at least 75,000.

Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield) told reporters she will never forget the phone call she received from Massey's mother last year. Turner promised Donna Massey that she would get justice for her baby. 

"In my 25 years of elected office, this is the least political thing I have ever done, but it is the most important thing I have ever done," Turner said.

Turner worked with the Massey Commission and multiple statewide law enforcement leaders to draft the bill language and ensure that what happened to Massey never happens again.

"I miss my mom every single day, like every day," said Malachi Hill Massey. "It hurts that she's not here with me, but I am very happy that we can also have a bill in her name and her name can live on forever."

Sangamon County Board Chair Andy Van Meter said he is grateful to Turner and members of the Massey Commission for their dedication to making these changes a reality. He said the law is an important step toward ensuring our communities have the most qualified officers serving them.

Senate Bill 1953 passed out of the House on a 101-12 vote May 15. The measure received unanimous support in the Senate on April 9.

The new law will take effect on January 1. 

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