‘The community is united’: Sangamon Co. Board discusses next steps after Sonya Massey murder charges

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) — The Sangamon County Board meeting is scheduled to meet at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Bank Of Springfield Center.

More than 35 people are scheduled to speak during the public comment section at the Sangamon County Board meeting.

This is the first board meeting since the body camera footage of Sonya Massey’s death has been released. Former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson shot Massey in the head after she moved a pot of boiling water.

Grayson has been charged with three counts of first-degree-murder, but has pleaded not guilty.

Massey’s family, several board members and the governor and lieutenant governor all called for the Sheriff’s resignation. Campbell announced his retirement Friday.

“His resignation is not enough”: Residents speak out

Despite the sheriff’s retirement, many speakers demand for more reforms to the department. Some suggestions for actions from speakers to include cutting the sheriff’s department budget to fund mental health services and allowing an independent agency to investigate the sheriff’s hiring practices, and bringing more citizen oversight to their elected officials.

“[Campbell’s] resignation is not enough,” Ashley Bresnahan of Springfield said.

Some members of the public pleaded for the community to vote and run for office to replace board members who did not call for Campbell’s resignation.

More residents scrutinized the county ignoring red flags and when hiring Grayson, including two DUIs and one of his references being his fiancé’s father.

“Transparency and accountability is key,” Breonna Roberts, another Springfield resident, said. “And I call upon the county board members to push for strengthening laws around officer screening, ensure transparent budgeting, and reallocating funds to improve training.”

Others wanted to highlight the systemic change needed to heal Springfield with the Black community.

Finally, others brought awareness to the issues people with mental illnesses face, especially when interacting with law enforcement officers.

“There are a lot of invisible illnesses that we must be familiar with and not just tolerate them,” Vanessa Knox of the Faith Coalition for the Common Good said. “All illnesses need support and care. All of them do.”

Members of the community spoke out about the fear they still have when calling the sheriff’s department for help.

“Our community is traumatized,” Rev. Susan Phillips, the pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Springfield, said. “We are scared. We are angry.”

Binding recall referendum fails

Sangamon County Board Chairman Andy Van Meter and all listened to the hourslong public comment sections and took notes on what changes the community wants to see.

“I truly believe this community is united as I have never seen it,” Van Meter said.

Sam Cahnman, one of the Democratic board members, wanted to put a referendum question on the ballot in the November election asking voters whether residents of Sangamon County should be allowed to recall elected officials.

That attempt to get the question on the ballot was shut down though. Board members on the majority Republican board blocked the referendum, ruling it out of order as it is too close to the election.

Despite not taking any formal action regarding the Sangamon County Sheriff or Sonya Massey, board members called on the community to remain engaged in the process of reforms, both inside and outside of the county.

“I’m not going to walk away from this, and I hope you’re going to join me in passing some reforms, whatever it takes,” board member Marc Ayers said. “The nation’s watching what we do here tonight, and I pray we get it right.”

Many of those activists at the meeting said they are committed to holding the board accountable for seeing those reforms.

“I’m confident that’s going to happen, because until it does, I’m going to be out there asking for it to happen,” Roberts said.

Van Meter said his intention on appointing the next Sheriff is to putting together a citizen’s committee to help screen and offer input on applicants.

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