Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker expresses frustration over sheriff’s handling of Sonya Massey case

Illinois Governor JB Pritzker criticized Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell for hiring the deputy who fatally shot Sonya Massey in her kitchen. Sean P. Grayson, the deputy who fired the shot, was hired by Campbell despite having a troubled past with two DUI convictions and scoring low on a cognitive assessment. Grayson faces first-degree murder charges and remains in custody. Campbell’s decision to hire Grayson has prompted an attempt to put an advisory referendum on the November ballot to determine whether Campbell should stay in office. Campbell, who has been sheriff since 2018, admitted that the department failed Sonya and her family and friends. The referendum is sponsored by five Democrats on the Republican-majority county board. If the referendum passes, it would not require Campbell to step down, but it would gauge voter sentiment on the matter. Governor Pritzker emphasized the need for more transparency in the hiring process and U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski also called for more information before making a decision on whether Campbell should resign. The county board will vote on whether to pass the referendum at its August 13 meeting, and the outcome will determine if it will appear on the ballot.

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