Gov. Pritzker stops short of calling for Sangamon County Sheriff to resign

Posted on August 6, 2024
Gov. Pritzker speaking at a press conference. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker stopped short of calling for Sangamon County sheriff Jack Campbell to resign over the Sonya Massey killing.

What happened to Sonya Massey should never happen to anyone ever again,” Pritzker responded when asked about it at an unrelated news conference Tuesday. After mentioning other Blacks killed by police – George Floyd and Breonna Taylor – Pritzker said, “We need to hold people accountable.

“I have a lot of questions, and so far I am disappointed in the answers I am hearing from the sheriff,” Pritzker added before concluding that he stands with the Massey family and with the protesters.

During his daylong series of interviews last week, Campbell said his critics do not have all the facts, and that he declines to step down.

Pritzker’s time with reporters Tuesday came just hours after Kamala Harris’ announcement that Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz would be her running mate, a job for which Pritzker was a finalist.

Pritzker praised Walz, said the vetting process was “grueling,” and that it was an honor simply to be considered.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].

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