Sonya Massey bill to require stricter hiring practices for police passes the IL Senate unanimously

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — A plan made in response to the death of Sonya Massey passes unanimously out of the Illinois Senate.

The bill would require law enforcement to have stricter hiring practices. When hiring a new police officer, the employers would receive all past records, investigations, arrests, crimes, physical and mental evaluations from past employers.

State Sen. Doris Turner (D-Springfield) said this has been the product of the Massey Commission, law enforcement and herself to ensure what happened to Massey never happens again.

"I would say this is one of the most important bills I have brought forward to this chamber," Turner said. "The murder of Sonya Massey at the Sangamon County Deputy Sheriffs hands shook my community and brought light to some of the unjust hiring practices in the Sangamon County Sheriffs office."

When the bill passed unanimously on a 56-0 vote, Turner received a standing ovation from all state Senators in the chamber.

GOP lawmakers commended Turner on the bill.

"The community who felt the pain for this, you pulled together a work group to make sure this never happened again," State Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) said. "I know you spent a tremendous amount of time here and I would say this bill is a very good bill."

Another bill made in response to Massey's death would give Illinoisan the ability to recall County officials. The plan has lagged in the Senate as lawmakers talk about it more behind closed doors.

This bill having passed the Senate will head to the House, where lawmakers could talk about it in the coming weeks.