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Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – At Wednesday’s Sangamon County Board meeting, the Massey Commission was officially created following extensive and spirited discussion. The commission, named after Sonya Massey who died after being shot by a Sangamon County Deputy in July, aims to address systemic issues within law enforcement as well as mental health responses and community relations. Approval provides $175,000 in funding for the commission to do its work.
Despite the official approval to create and fund the commission, a proposed amendment that would have implemented new hiring background check practices for the Sheriff’s Department was tabled. The amendment called for an extended background check for all candidates seeking positions as deputies, court security officers, or correctional officers. Under the amendment, the check would have included Freedom of Information Act requests for personnel files from previous employers, reviews of social media accounts, and examinations of all civil legal proceedings involving the applicant. Additionally, it stated no employment offer would be extended to candidates convicted of a DUI or other Class A misdemeanor within five years of their application date.
Chairman Andy Van Meter explained although the amendment was “well intentioned”, county government does not “designate how any elected official runs their office. We just appropriate funding for them.” He recommended letting the Massey Commission do its work and make its recommendations.
The commission’s formal establishment comes after the appointment of new Sheriff Paula Crouch at the same meeting. Board Member Marc Ayers expressed his disappointment over the failure to pass the amendment on hiring practices, emphasizing the need for immediate action.
Additional resolutions that would have provided $21,000 to a Vector Communications and $57,600 to a KIND Consulting to assist the commission in doing its work were tabled. Vector Communications is a St. Louis, Missouri-based public engagement and communications consulting firm while KIND Consulting is a Springfield-based communications and public relations firm owned by former reporter and state legislator Sara Wojcicki Jimenez.
The Massey Commission, prior to formal approval, held its first listening session on Monday at Union Baptist Church. More than 200 people applied to be a member of the commission. Commission co-chairs are expected to announce finalists this week.