Illinois is tightening its standards for hiring law enforcement officers with the passage of Senate Bill 1953, a measure championed by State Senator Doris Turner. Prompted by the murder of Sonya Massey, the new law mandates a deeper review of job candidates’ past employment to assess their fitness for duty before joining the ranks. The legislation also expands the formation of sheriff merit boards and commissions in counties with over 75,000 residents, aiming to raise professionalism and integrity across the board. The change is set to take effect January 1, 2026, signaling a renewed effort to rebuild trust and safety within Illinois communities.
“Sonya’s murder left us with more questions than answers,” said Turner (D-Springfield). “I’m proud of our collaboration with the Illinois Sheriffs’ Association and the Illinois Chiefs of Police to determine necessary guardrails to ensure we have good officers on our street protecting and serving our communities.”
“The Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police is dedicated to advancing the law enforcement profession and promoting best practices,” said ILACP Executive Director Kenny Winslow. “The association firmly believes there should be minimum background standards for individuals seeking to protect and serve our communities. The association is grateful for the collaboration with Senator Doris Turner and law enforcement leaders across Illinois on the development of this important legislation. We are one-step closer to ensuring that background checks will be more thorough and only those candidates of the highest moral character will be among the police force. “
