Statement from Governor Pritzker on the Prisoner Review Board Decision Regarding Sean Grayson
July 31, 2026
CHICAGO – Today, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker released the following statement after the Prisoner Review Board voted 3-0 to deny Sean Grayson’s medical release petition:
“Sonya Massey’s family and loved ones remain in my thoughts today. Her killing was a profound loss that can never be reversed. Sonya was innocent, unarmed, and calling law enforcement for help. It was a painful reminder that too many innocent Black Americans have faced this kind of violence — and they deserve justice.
“Illinois is always striving to achieve a justice system rooted in accountability and fairness, which is why the Prisoner Review Board follows careful and deliberate processes, in accordance with the Joe Coleman Act, to consider medical release requests while enabling the victims of crime and their families to have their voices heard.
“My administration will always fight for a more just society where we achieve accountability and equal treatment under the law. That’s why I signed the Sonya Massey Bill in her memory last year to revise and improve police hiring practices across Illinois. The law increases police accountability across the state and is designed to help prevent future tragedies such as this one.
“May Sonya Massey’s memory and lasting legacy continue to be a blessing.”
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