Massey Commission Delivers Final Report to County Board

The Sangamon County Board on Tuesday received the final report of the Massey Commission, marking the conclusion of more than a year of work following the Murder of Sonya Massey and the community demands for transparency, reform, and accountability that followed. The presentation, delivered publicly at the December 9 board meeting, outlined the Commission’s full set of findings and its 26 Calls to Action—each aimed at reshaping how local institutions approach safety, mental health response, community engagement, and long-term accountability.

Before the Commission delivered its final presentation, County Board Chairman Andy Van Meter reflected on how the effort began, saying, “Although it's a bit painful to take yourself mentally back to a little over a year ago and the trauma and frustration that the community felt, really as one, in the face of Sonya Massey's tragic murder, and consider the incredible good work of this commission in taking that frustrated energy and turning it into positive energy for good. We are, as a community, so thankful to you, and we have lots of good work here to get done. So, now to the work to do. Please tell us.”

The Massey Commission was formed in August 2024 in response to the fatal shooting of Ms. Massey by a former Sangamon County Sheriff’s deputy. As outlined in the Commission’s final report, the mandate extended far beyond a single incident, focusing on systemic issues affecting Black residents and historically marginalized communities across Springfield and Sangamon County. The Commission’s charge was to “listen, learn, and act,” and to develop a roadmap for reform rooted in transparency, equity, and measurable change.

During Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners emphasized that their work was driven by months of community listening sessions, expert testimony, and collaboration with local institutions. The presentation reiterated the report’s five “Signature Priorities”—Safety + Dignity, Truth + Accountability, Access + Belonging, Repair + Investment, and Education + Liberation—which together serve as the framework for the recommended reforms. Each priority is tied to concrete policy proposals, ranging from improved crisis-response coordination to enhanced data transparency and expanded mental-health infrastructure.

Among the Commission’s most notable recommendations is the establishment of a countywide interoperable crisis-response system designed to ensure that behavioral-health emergencies receive the appropriate level of care. The final report also calls for updated hiring and vetting standards for law enforcement, mandatory psychological evaluations and anti-bias training, creation of a public accountability dashboard, and formation of a civilian oversight board with investigative authority. In addition, commissioners urged the County and City to jointly implement a unified police transparency framework and to host an annual “People’s Scorecard Summit” where progress is publicly reported.

The report also continues to stress the need for meaningful investment in community health, preventing future crises rather than responding to them. That includes strengthening the strategic focus of the county’s 708 Mental Health Board, expanding access to social and economic resources, and directing long-term funding toward prevention, treatment, and community wellness. In its closing recommendations, the Commission underscored that “justice is a budget line,” framing fiscal choices as moral commitments that shape countywide outcomes.

Tuesday’s presentation echoed themes highlighted throughout the Commission’s work. The Commission again emphasized that the success of its recommendations depends not only on government action but also on sustained engagement from civic leaders, first responders, educational institutions, healthcare providers, and residents across Sangamon County. Co-chairs Jerry Kruse and JoAnn Johnson reiterated this message in the report, noting that the work ahead “cannot and must not end here” and calling on local institutions to move from acknowledgement to implementation.

The final report—titled Health as Practice + Protection—will now be formally received by the County Board for further review. Board committees are expected to evaluate individual recommendations in the months ahead.