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Isabel: Governor, Sangamon County Sheriff Campbell has defended his hiring of Sonya Massey’s killer after calls for him to step down. Should Campbell resign?
Pritzker: Look, what happened to Sonya Massey should never happen to anyone ever again. And honestly, I have seen so much tragedy just over the course of my governorship. Think about George Floyd. Think about Breonna Taylor. Think about the, the many names of people, Sonya Massey included, who have been killed in similar circumstances by an officer of the law. We need to hold people accountable. I’m very proud of the work that the Illinois State Police did in investigating this quickly and bringing it to the state’s attorney so that the deputy sheriff could be charged, and was charged, in fact, with three counts of murder appropriately so.
The way in which this deputy sheriff was hired, the background should have been taken into account. The way he was hired is an enormous question that still needs to be made transparent.
How did the sheriff end up hiring this person? Must have known their background. Must have. No one hires somebody without checking out the hiree’s background. And so I have a lot of questions. And I’m so far disappointed with the answers that I’m hearing from the sheriff. But you know, I think that that the community is reacting the way that I think is appropriate, protesting, making their voice heard, asking for change. The Massey family in particular, thinking about how do we improve the system going forward. And so I stand with them in that effort.
The Massey family has called on the sheriff to resign.
* Earlier this week, I asked Sen. Dick Durbin’s office where Durbin, a Springfield resident, stood on Sheriff Campbell’s future…
The future of the Sheriff is a local decision. As a member of Congress and Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, Senator Durbin is focused on the federal component and ensuring the Justice Department is properly engaged.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 12:08 pm
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Is it too much to ask for a little integrity and accountability from our law enforcement executives? You failed, Campbell. You 100% failed and someone died because of it. Resign.
Comment by Politix Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 12:48 pm
Sean Grayson should never have been a cop.
Sheriff Jack Campbell hired Sean Grayson based on his pal’s recommendation.
Sheriff Campbell has denied responsibility and attempted to shift blame to others…for his failure.
Resign.
Comment by Dotnonymous x Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 12:58 pm
He should also be looking in the mirror and asking his appointees to iletsb, along with other board members like Attorney General Raoul and Cook County Sheriff Dart, why iletsb isn’t doing the certification/decertification job they were authorized by statute to do for the last few years.
Comment by fs Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 1:03 pm
===No one hires somebody without checking out the hiree’s background.===
This is the most wildly inaccurate claim that the Governor has ever made.
Comment by Candy Dogood Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 1:03 pm
I was thinking about what has been reported regarding the hiring process of this deputy and comparing it to what we do for everyone that works in a school. From part-time support staff to admin, our process is very thorough. Yes, references from trusted sources matter, but they are in no way the only references we check and if something pops up on one of the four background checks we use, they are not hired. Why on earth wouldn’t law enforcement use and even more rigorous process? Blows my mind.
Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 1:05 pm
==He should also be asking…why iletsb isn’t doing the certification/decertification job they were authorized by statute to do for the last few years.==
That would be great. And I find it highly ironic that the Board had to be pressured into reinstating Zenna Ramos, a Riverside officer whose badge they stripped because of a decades old MISDEMEANOR shoplifting conviction.
Comment by Politix Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 1:26 pm
Reporters sniffed out Grayson’s whole work history in about three days. Campbell could have done it even faster because of his official status. Or his HR staff could have. He could have but he didn’t and that’s dereliction of duty. Abrogation of responsibility. Because he “ just has a good feeling “ about a hire, based off of what a friend or friend of a friend has said.
How is that professional?
Comment by Give Us Barabbas Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 1:27 pm
Weak sauce from Durbin, who has endorsed local candidates in Sangamon County and elsewhere, including Chicago, where he endorsed Vallas last year. Now, he says he doesn’t get involved in local issues.
This is one of the most egregious police killings since the invention of body cams or cell phones. Campbell, by hiring an unfit deputy with ties to a department insider, is every bit as culpable as Grayson. If Campbell hadn’t done what he did, Grayson could not have done what he did, and Massey would still be alive.
It’s far past time for Durbin, Pritzker and other leaders to demand Campbell’s resignation.
Comment by Jack Must Go Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 1:51 pm
I worked law enforcement for over thirty years.
If there is a bigger ole boys world than law enforcement, I wish someone would tell me.
Comment by Flyin'Elvis'-Utah Chapter Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 2:15 pm
==That would be great. And I find it highly ironic that the Board had to be pressured into reinstating Zenna Ramos, a Riverside officer whose badge they stripped because of a decades old MISDEMEANOR shoplifting conviction.==
There was more than just a misdemeanor conviction. There were multiple arrests and multiple instances of dishonesty and a few instances of omission. ILETSB did the right thing reinstating her with a mandate to satisfactorily complete her training which she failed twice in Cicero.
But you be you.
Comment by Nope. Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 2:24 pm
==There were multiple arrests and multiple instances of dishonesty and a few instances of omission.==
Weird, that sounds similar to another background of an officer they certified and continuously re-certified
Comment by fs Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 2:27 pm
== Weak sauce from Durbin, who has endorsed local candidates in Sangamon County and elsewhere, including Chicago, where he endorsed Vallas last year. Now, he says he doesn’t get involved in local issues.==
100% agree.
Comment by charles in charge Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 3:49 pm
Jack Campbell’s continued employment is a complete failure of justice. Jack Campbell was responsible for the hiring of Sean Grayson. Grayson did not murder Sonya Massey by happenstance, accident, or coincidence. He pointed a gun at her with intent to kill. Just like Sonya Massey was not allowed to survive, so should Jack Campbell not have the option of remaining in office. I am so tired of people who fail at their jobs refusing to accept consequences. There should be a mechanism in place to remove him immediately and he should consider himself lucky if that is the only punishment he faces.
Comment by Mike Gascoigne Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 4:03 pm
@Nope: Triggered much? That is 100% false.
Swinging at a well-respected Hispanic female officer won’t make ILETSB look any less inept.
Comment by Politix Tuesday, Aug 6, 24 @ 8:18 pm
The Grayson had too many red marks in my opinion to be a cop in any dept nationwide.
Anyone that hires someone with a poor record should be hold some accountability if that person royally messes up. It isnt about 2nd chances it’s about doing the job.
He should resign. It’s clear he is a poor leader.
Comment by The Dude Wednesday, Aug 7, 24 @ 6:23 am