Sonya Massey's cousin named a new co-chair of Massey Commission in leadership shake-up

After only one listening session, the Massey Commission has new leadership.

One of the newest co-chairs is Shadia Massey, a cousin of Sonya Massey, the namesake of the commission, who was fatally shot by a now former Sangamon County Sheriff's deputy in her home in an unincorporated part of Woodside Township on July 6.

In light of the leadership change, a Sept. 30 gathering has been postponed.

More: 'Your hurting — we've heard it.' Massey Commission holds first listening session

Yet to be publicly announced are the 12 commissioners.

JoAnn Johnson, the first Black woman to reach the rank of colonel with the Illinois State Police and a law enforcement trainer in police bias, is the other new co-chair.

Jenna Broom speaks during a Massey Commission listening session at Union Baptist Church in Springfield on Sept. 16, 2024.
Jenna Broom speaks during a Massey Commission listening session at Union Baptist Church in Springfield on Sept. 16, 2024.

Dr. Jerry Kruse, dean and provost of SIU School of Medicine and CEO of SIU Medicine, will serve as the other co-chair.

More than two dozen speakers addressed the Sept. 16 session on issues like police reform, accountability, training and crisis intervention in Monday's open forum.

But some of those speakers also scrutinized the leadership of the commission and called for members of the Massey family to be included in the commission.

Also in question are resolutions that doled out over $78,000 to two different communications and consulting companies. They were tabled at a Sept. 18 special meeting of the county board.

“As we have been from the beginning, we will continue to be responsive to community voices in this process," said State Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, who helped form the commission, along with Sangamon County Board chairman Andy Van Meter.

The commission seeks to address systemic issues in law enforcement practices, mental health responses and community relations, with the goal of creating "tangible, practical and equitable solutions for the betterment of all who call Sangamon County home."

It will look to produce a comprehensive report outlining findings, recommendations and proposed actions within a year.

'Have to have a direction'

Johnson was with the State Police for nearly 30 years and came to Springfield in 2010.

Speaking at the session on Sept. 16, Johnson said she helped, through a company she now works for, train Springfield Police officers in "implicit bias."

Implicit bias is any bias a person holds on a level that they are not consciously aware of and can affect a person's behavior and decision-making without realizing it.

Several members of Sonya Massey's family, including her mother, Donna Massey, listen to speakers at a rally at Comer Cox Park on July 28, 2024. Sonya Massey was fatally shot in her home on July 6 by a Sangamon County Sheriff's deputy speaking a national outcry.
Several members of Sonya Massey's family, including her mother, Donna Massey, listen to speakers at a rally at Comer Cox Park on July 28, 2024. Sonya Massey was fatally shot in her home on July 6 by a Sangamon County Sheriff's deputy speaking a national outcry.

Johnson said the commission "will not get far if it is just a group of angry voices. We absolutely have to have direction, focus, come from a place of composure and bring these important issues to the forefront."

The commission, Johnson added "has to be diverse not only in race gender, culture and background, but also experience and expertise."

Johnson said she was one of just 200 people who applied to be on the commission.

Former Sangamon County Sheriff's deputy Sean P. Grayson, 30, was charged with Sonya Massey's murder.

Contact Steven Spearie: 217-622-1788; sspearie@sj-r.com; X, twitter.com/@StevenSpearie.

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Massey Commission names two new co-chairs including Sonya Massey's cousin