Current:Home > StocksIllinois Gov. Pritzker calls for sheriff to resign after Sonya Massey shooting -TradeCircle
Illinois Gov. Pritzker calls for sheriff to resign after Sonya Massey shooting
View
Date:2025-04-16 02:45:28
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton are formally calling for Sangamon County Sheriff Jack Campbell to resign, expressing frustration with how the sheriff has responded to the shooting death of Sonya Massey.
Much scrutiny has been placed on Campbell, who hired former Deputy Sean P. Grayson in May 2023 despite his two prior DUI convictions. Grayson has been charged by a grand jury with three counts of first-degree murder after shooting Massey in her own home on July 6.
Campbell "has failed to explain how he ended up hiring this deputy sheriff who has (resigned) from other departments," the governor said at an unrelated news conference early Wednesday in Chicago. "He has failed to put forward reforms that clearly need to be made."
In a statement, Pritzker said he was calling for Campbell's resignation "so the Springfield and Sangamon County community can begin to rebuild and restore trust between the citizens and the sheriff's department."
More:Illinois Gov. Pritzker criticizes sheriff for hiring deputy who fatally shot Sonya Massey
Pritzker said it was "outrageous" that Campbell had yet to meet with the Massey family in the month since the murder.
The sheriff, who has reiterated his intent to stay on the force, said in a statement that he has tried to meet with the family four times but was rejected each time.
Campbell said he would still like to have a meeting.
"The Sheriff’s Office is willing to modify our hiring practices in order to prevent an incident like this from occurring again. However, before changes can be made, it is important to identify the problem," the sheriff said in the statement.
"We have used a process that we believe was consistent with statewide standards. If these standards are deficient, we would advocate a change at all necessary levels.
"I was overwhelmingly elected to lead the Sheriff’s Office through both good times and bad. I am fully prepared to continue leading my office and serving the residents of Sangamon County through this difficult period, ensuring we learn from this tragedy and work toward a better future."
Campbell also said he believes calls for his resignation are politically motivated.
"We need to unite and heal. The one responsible is in jail and will never work in law enforcement again. Calls for my resignation are nothing more than political maneuvering during a tragic event and only hurt the good citizens of Sangamon County."
Patrick M. Keck can be reached at [email protected], or on X, formerly Twitter, @pkeckreporter.
veryGood! (89535)
Related
- North Carolina justices rule for restaurants in COVID
- U.S. clears way for release of $6 billion in frozen Iranian funds as part of prisoner swap deal
- Vanderpump Rules' Tom Sandoval Says He Misses Friend Raquel Leviss in Birthday Note
- Kourtney Kardashian Declares Hatred for Witch Kim Kardashian in New Kardashians Trailer
- Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
- A new documentary reexamines the Louis CK scandal, 6 years later
- Petition filed to block Trump from Minnesota’s 2024 ballot under ‘insurrection clause’
- US poverty rate jumped in 2022, child poverty more than doubled: Census
- Megan Fox's ex Brian Austin Green tells Machine Gun Kelly to 'grow up'
- Angela Bassett sparkles at Pamella Roland's Morocco-themed NYFW show: See the photos
Ranking
- B.A. Parker is learning the banjo
- Two-time Grand Slam champion and former No. 1 Simona Halep suspended four years for doping
- US poverty rate jumped in 2022, child poverty more than doubled: Census
- Panel finds no single factor in horse deaths at Churchill Downs. More screening is suggested
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Former Florida football coach Dan Mullen picks Tennesee to beat Gators in Gainesville
- Infowars host Owen Shroyer gets 2 months behind bars in Capitol riot case
- Look Back on Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes' Cutest Pics
Recommendation
'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
Kelsea Ballerini and Chase Stokes Jump Heartfirst Into PDA During Red Hot Date Night at 2023 MTV VMAs
University of Alabama condemns racist, homophobic slurs hurled at football game
FDA signs off on updated COVID boosters. Here's what to know about the new vaccine shots for fall 2023.
Behind on your annual reading goal? Books under 200 pages to read before 2024 ends
When You're Ready Come and Get a Look at Selena Gomez's Best MTV VMAs Outfit Yet
NASA astronaut breaks record for longest trip to space by an American
Jamie Lynn Spears joins 'Dancing With the Stars': 'I can't wait to show you my moves'