In wake of Massey shooting, Sangamon County target of DOJ Investigation
The U.S. Department of Justice’s civil rights probe will investigate the sheriff’s department, but also Sangamon County Central Dispatch and the county itself.
Tag: police accountability
In the wake of Sonya Massey’s death, Springfield will test a new way to handle mental health calls
Massey’s death at the hands of police has prompted calls for change, but would those changes have been enough to prevent her killing? Sonya Massey, 36, was seeking mental health treatment up until the day she was shot and killed by former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson. County records show 911 calls from Sonya
In Sangamon County, Grayson wasn’t the only deputy hired with a DUI on his record
Former Sheriff Jack Campbell retired amid scrutiny of his personnel decisions. Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell came under fire for his hiring practices after he employed a deputy with two DUI convictions, who is now accused of the murder of an unarmed black woman in her kitchen. But it wasn’t the first time he chose
Massey Commission plans first listening session
The newly formed Massey Commission will host its first listening session this month. The commission, which includes officials and members of the public, was created in response to the killing of Sonya Massey this summer. The first session will be to understand the public’s hopes and concerns before finalizing the final mission and goals. Massey
Police Reform Issues Loom Large Before Urbana City Council
URBANA — A set of shared goals and standards for police and communities of color was approved by the Urbana City Council Monday night. Council members also heard a new proposal for shifting response to mental health emergencies away from the police, and on Tuesday, made last-minute reductions to police spending in the new city
News Around Illinois – June 8, 2020
Illinois Reports 867 New Coronavirus Cases, 43 New Deaths SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting 867 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus, bringing the total number of cases in the state to 127,757. The department on Sunday reported 43 additional deaths from the disease in the past 24 hours, raising that
Community Organizer: Unrest Over Police Brutality Will Lead To Lasting Change
CHAMPAIGN – The head of a county-wide effort to improve police-community relations says he’s hopeful recent protests in response to the killing of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis will lead to lasting change. “I’m optimistic that here’s another opportunity for us to make substantive change around this issue of policing… in black and brown