Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed into law Senate Bill 1953, known as the Sonya Massey Act, which mandates more thorough background checks for police officer hires across the state. The legislation was inspired by the 2024 shooting death of Sonya Massey, who was fatally shot inside her home near Springfield by a Sangamon County sheriff’s deputy. The deputy involved had a history of disciplinary complaints and had worked for six different departments over four years, including two DUI incidents. The new law requires police agencies to obtain comprehensive personnel records from previous employers before hiring officers, aiming to enhance police accountability and improve the hiring process statewide. Governor Pritzker emphasized that the bipartisan bill represents fundamental reforms to build a justice system that protects all citizens in Illinois.