More than 30 people signed up to speak publicly at a Sangamon County board meeting Tuesday, the first since details of the July shooting death of Sonya Massey became public and the retirement of Sheriff Jack Campbell.
Massey, 36, was unarmed in her home near Springfield on July 6 when she was shot and killed by former Sangamon County Sheriff’s Deputy Sean Grayson, who has since been fired from the position.
Grayson has been charged in Massey’s death.
Several residents and activists had called for Campbell’s resignation as details of the shooting emerged. Campbell hired Grayson, who had been disciplined while employed by another county sheriff’s office in Illinois.
“Trust is now completely broken. Take responsibility for this,” said one resident.
Although Campbell resigned, one board member believes an advisory referendum should be added to the November ballot, asking if Illinois would pass recalls for elected officials.
“For the 2024 election, we are asking for and supporting an advisory referendum to put recalls on the ballot,” resident Vanessa Knox said.
Campbell, whose retirement is effective Aug. 31, did not appear before the board Tuesday night. The chairman of the county board gets two months after Campbell’s retirement to choose a new sheriff.