SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (May 15, 2025) — National civil rights attorneys Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci issued the following statement today after the Illinois House of Representatives passed Senate Bill 1953, also known as the Sonya Massey Bill, which now heads to Governor JB Pritzker for signature:
“The passage of the Sonya Massey Bill is a powerful and overdue step forward in preventing tragedies like the one that took Sonya’s life. This legislation helps address the deep flaws in the law enforcement hiring process that allowed an officer with a disturbing pattern of misconduct to continue wearing a badge and carrying a weapon.
“We are grateful to Senator Doris Turner and Representative Kam Buckner for their leadership in championing this bill and standing with the Massey family throughout this process. Their efforts, alongside the tireless advocacy of the Massey Commission, have brought about meaningful reform that will require departments to fully investigate and consider a candidate’s prior history before entrusting them with the power to police and serve our communities.
“Today, Illinois lawmakers have sent a clear message: that we can and must do better. This legislation sets a new standard for accountability and transparency, and brings us closer to ensuring that no other family endures the devastating loss the Massey family has suffered. Other states must follow their lead.
“We respectfully implore Governor Pritzker to sign this bill into law swiftly, as we reaffirm our commitment to fighting for justice, accountability, and reform in Sonya’s name.”
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ABOUT BEN CRUMP LAW
Through his work, nationally renowned civil rights and personal injury attorney Ben Crump has spearheaded a legal movement to better protect the rights of marginalized citizens. He has led landscape-changing civil rights cases and represented clients in a wide range of areas including civil rights, personal injury, labor and employment, class actions, and more. Ben Crump Law is dedicated to holding the powerful accountable. For more information, visit bencrump.com.
ABOUT ROMANUCCI & BLANDIN, LLC
Romanucci & Blandin is a Chicago-based national trial practice committed to fighting for victims of negligence, abuse and wrongful death through impact litigation. For more than 25 years, we have secured more than $1 billion in verdicts and settlements for our clients – many for millions of dollars or record-setting awards. Our experience ranges from mass shootings, civil rights and police misconduct to medical malpractice, sexual abuse, motor vehicle accidents or workplace injury cases involving individual or institutional negligence. Romanucci & Blandin is a valuable legal resource to individuals and groups of people who have been injured by others’ wrongdoing. Referring attorneys and clients say several factors distinguish our firm: Our record of success, depth of experience, talented and dedicated legal team, tireless preparation, and strategic use of communications to fight for the rights of those whose lives have been changed forever. We differ from other personal injury firms in that our work does not stop when a verdict or settlement is secured. Our clients’ experiences often inspire us to commit resources to transforming lives and communities. For more information about Romanucci & Blandin, please visit: www.rblaw.net.
