Massey Commission

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Massey Commission This commission is in direct response to thoughtful comments from members of the community.

The Massey Commission is a citizens' commission established in response to the tragic killing of Sonya Massey by a former Sangamon County deputy on July 6, 2024.

MCAN Statement on the Massey Family’s Endorsement Springfield, IL – The Massey Community Action Network (MCAN) exists be...
10/20/2026

MCAN Statement on the Massey Family’s Endorsement

Springfield, IL – The Massey Community Action Network (MCAN) exists because the Massey family refused to let Sonya's death be the end of the story. Their decisions, including this one, are theirs alone.

MCAN is a nonpartisan initiative operating under the fiscal sponsorship of The Outlet. We do not endorse or oppose candidates for public office, and nothing in the family's statement reflects a position by MCAN.

Our commitment does not change with an election. We exist to see the Massey Commission's Calls to Action fully implemented, and we will hold whoever the voters of Sangamon County elect as sheriff to that standard.

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Appeal to overturn conviction of late deputy in shooting of Sonya Massey dismissedAn appeal on behalf of the former Illi...
10/19/2026

Appeal to overturn conviction of late deputy in shooting of Sonya Massey dismissed

An appeal on behalf of the former Illinois sheriff's deputy convicted of murder and sentenced to 20 years in the fatal shooting of Sonya Massey, a Black woman who called 911 to report a possible intruder, has been dismissed following his death.

Sean Grayson, 32, a former sheriff's deputy in Sangamon County, Illinois, died in prison in August, his defense attorney, Daniel Fultz, confirmed to ABC News at the time.

Following a motion from the state, an appellate court on Sunday granted the motion, dismissing Grayson's lawyers' appeal filed last month asking the court to vacate his second-degree murder conviction.

Grayson was convicted of second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of 36-year-old Massey in her Springfield, Illinois, home in 2024.

In July, the three-member Illinois Prisoner Review Board voted unanimously to deny a request from Grayson for early medical release. In his request, Grayson told the panel that he was suffering from stage 4 colon cancer.

The Sangamon County State's Attorney's office had opposed Grayson's release, saying he was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer before the Massey shooting and his temper could pose a risk to the public.

Attorneys for Massey's family released a statement, saying, Grayson's death "does not bring Sonya back."

"We wish his family prayers of peace, as we do for all who grieve a loved one. Sonya's family knows that pain all too well and will grieve her loss the rest of their days," the family's attorneys Ben Crump and Antonio Romanucci said in a joint statement.

https://www.yahoo.com/news/us/articles/sheriffs-deputy-convicted-fatal-shooting-021101272.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAAKYXV8hC8a5Mkk5X8XN1uWzUCF2GQ6i1KG9FT3iLm3YhTCC0o6MHkcqBZeT0oyScGv0FWHKEytlA1mNLb_pWL9CpG4cN2e2XM8kNF8wXIOrkgrqNsUu9zvHn39k8csnoxoFu314070-2LyCTAuVLoiRRIwvEC8z5X-SdY9QiT2b

Massey Community Action Network hosts first community meeting in SpringfieldThe Springfield community came out to First ...
10/16/2026

Massey Community Action Network hosts first community meeting in Springfield

The Springfield community came out to First Presbyterian Church on Wednesday for the Massey Community Action Network’s first community meeting.

Founding member Joann Johnson explained what this organization is all about.

“We are passionate individuals who want to see those 26 calls to action that were developed through the work of the Massey Commission actually come to fruition,” Johnson said. “We want to see those things implemented.”

“This will be our first time actually greeting members of the community, to hear what our goal is, to hear what our purpose is,” Johnson said. “We want to invite them to know that we are still here, and we still want to see all that work they helped us do.”

https://www.wandtv.com/2026/10/15/massey-community-action-network-hosts-first-community-meeting-springfield/


This is what looks like!Thank you to those who came out last night to our first public meeting. Thank you for the cont...
10/15/2026

This is what looks like!

Thank you to those who came out last night to our first public meeting. Thank you for the continued commitment to seeing the work through collectively. The work doesn't move without the community steering it forward. If you could not make it last night, don't worry, we will have other opportunities for engagement and updates coming soon!!

🛎️ TONIGHT!!🛎️Come out TONIGHT for our FIRST public meeting, the Massey Community Action Network, MCAN Community Gatheri...
10/14/2026

🛎️ TONIGHT!!🛎️

Come out TONIGHT for our FIRST public meeting, the Massey Community Action Network, MCAN Community Gathering . We will meet at 1st Presbyterian Church at 5:30 with a short program beginning at 5:45. This gathering will include time to create supportive messaging to be shared with Ms. Donna Massey, time to present questions and concerns and/or write public comments for the Police Community Review Commission. A review of any accessibility needs prior to transitioning across the street to City Hall to attend the PCRC meeting at 7:00pm. If you are unable to attend the Community Gathering please feel free to join us at City Hall for the PCRC meeting. Agenda items and times are subject to change as needed.

“Accountability is not something we watch from a distance,” said Dr Kelly Hurst, MCAN co-founder. “We show up, we carry each other’s voices into the room, and we make sure the record reflects what this community demands.” The event is free and open to the public.

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Hope to see you there!!

If you are unable to attend the Community Gathering, please feel free to join us at City Hall for the PCRC meeting. You may also email [email protected] with any messages for Ms. Donna and they will be passed along. Agenda items and times are subject to change as needed.

For Immediate ReleaseMonday, October 13, 2026Contact: Adam WhiteMasseycommission@gmail.comNo One Enters Alone: MCAN Lead...
10/13/2026

For Immediate Release
Monday, October 13, 2026
Contact: Adam White
[email protected]

No One Enters Alone: MCAN Leads Community to the Police Community Review Commission Meeting

Springfield, IL -- The Massey Community Action Network (MCAN) will hold its first MCAN Community Gathering on Wednesday, October 14, from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church (327 S 7th St., Springfield, IL). After the meeting, attendees will go together to the Police Community Review Commission (PCRC) meeting at City Council Chambers.

The evening opens with food and fellowship. Attendees will receive two cards. The first is for messages of care, affirmation, and commitment to Miss Donna Massey (Sonya’s mother). The second is for questions and concerns that MCAN will bring into the PCRC meeting and keep for the public record.

During a 30-minute program, MCAN will honor Miss Donna and share organizational updates. These include the launch of MCAN’s website and public accountability dashboards, The Outlet’s agreement to serve as MCAN’s fiscal sponsor, and MCAN’s upcoming inaugural fundraiser. MCAN will also explain what residents can expect at the PCRC meeting, based on its attendance at the commission’s July 23 session.

“Accountability is not something we watch from a distance,” said Dr Kelly Hurst, MCAN co-founder. “We show up, we carry each other’s voices into the room, and we make sure the record reflects what this community demands.” The event is free and open to the public.

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If you are unable to attend the Community Gathering, please feel free to join us at City Hall for the PCRC meeting. You may also email [email protected] with any messages for Ms. Donna and they will be passed along. Agenda items and times are subject to change as needed.

Thank you to the Greater Springfield Interfaith Alliance (GSIA) for inviting us to present during your luncheon about th...
10/10/2026

Thank you to the Greater Springfield Interfaith Alliance (GSIA) for inviting us to present during your luncheon about the work we are doing. It is vital that we continue to touch and remain connected with all segments in our community to keep the work the residents of Sangamon County have named moving forward.

To learn more, we invite you to join us at our first MCAN Community Gathering THIS Wednesday, Oct 14th. We will meet at 1st Presbyterian Church at 5:30 with a short program beginning at 5:45. This gathering will include time to create supportive messaging to be shared with Ms. Donna Massey, time to present questions/concerns and/or write public comments for the Police Community Review Commission (PCRC) happening following our meeting. As we wrap up, we will have a review of any accessibility needs prior to transitioning across the street to City Hall to attend the PCRC meeting at 7:00pm.

If you are unable to attend the Community Gathering, please feel free to join us at City Hall for the PCRC meeting. Agenda items and times are subject to change as needed. Please see inside of event for additional details.

Hope to see you there!!

Come out on Oct 14th for our FIRST public meeting, the Massey Community Action Network, MCAN Community Gathering. We wil...
10/06/2026

Come out on Oct 14th for our FIRST public meeting, the Massey Community Action Network, MCAN Community Gathering. We will meet at 1st Presbyterian Church at 5:30 with a short program beginning at 5:45. This gathering will include time to create supportive messaging to be shared with Ms. Donna Massey, time to present questions and concerns and/or write public comments for the Police Community Review Commission. A review of any accessibility needs prior to transitioning across the street to City Hall to attend the PCRC meeting at 7:00pm. If you are unable to attend the Community Gathering please feel free to join us at City Hall for the PCRC meeting. Agenda items and times are subject to change as needed. Please see instead of event for additional details.

Hope to see you there!!

Please join the Massey Community Action Network (MCAN) on Oct 14th for our FIRST public meeting, the MCAN Community Gath...
10/04/2026

Please join the Massey Community Action Network (MCAN) on Oct 14th for our FIRST public meeting, the MCAN Community Gathering. Please see inside invitation link for all additional details.

Appointed Sangamon County sheriff faces challengerDemocrat Bell, Republican Crouch debated Sunday.Sangamon County Sherif...
09/30/2026

Appointed Sangamon County sheriff faces challenger

Democrat Bell, Republican Crouch debated Sunday.

Sangamon County Sheriff Paula Crouch (pictured, left), a Republican appointed following the retirement of Jack Campbell two years ago, faces general election voters for the first time Nov. 3. Democrat Marc Bell (pictured, right), a former Illinois State Police master sergeant who exited the race and then re-entered it, joined her for a debate Sunday at First Presbyterian Church in Springfield, sponsored by the Committee of Springfield, Illinois.

A frequent theme of Bell’s remarks is what he sees as an entrenched “good ol’ boy” system in the Republican-dominated county. He answered a question about Sean Grayson, the deputy with a checkered personal and professional history who killed Sonya Massey two years ago, by saying, “You know when you have a bad actor. Sean was hired because he was somebody’s friend. That will not happen on my watch.” For her part, Crouch said the department has not hired anyone with a DUI conviction (Grayson had two) since she has been sheriff.

Watch Debate Here: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19xgTTr5Bv/

https://capitolcitynow.com/news/248842-appointed-sangamon-county-sheriff-faces-challenger/

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