Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – If you look at the Massey Commission and say, the emperor has no clothes, co-chair Dr. Jerry Kruse (pictured) hears you and sees you.

Kruse began Monday’s monthly meeting with a litany of negative statements about the commission’s perception and what he says is a lack of support by the business community, the Sangamon County Board, and even the Massey family.

The commission formed to examine policing and race relations after the July 6, 2024, death of Sonya Massey at the hands of a then-deputy who now is charged with murder.

“It’s become apparent from recent community statements and events that the proper support for this commission may not exist or may not be as strong as it should be,” said Kruse. “This lack of support has manifested itself in several ways. First, the majority of people that attend Massey Commission meetings do not support the composition of the committee and do not support the scope of our current work.”

Kruse also complained that while SIU School of Medicine, of which he is dean, was charged with overseeing the commission but not with its day-to-day management; yet two SIU employees have been for months “unpaid volunteers,” said Kruse, adding that those employees’ involvement will end this month.

Still, the commission presses on.

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