PEORIA, IL — Today, Speak Out Illinois LLC has formally submitted a request for public court records in the case of State of Illinois v. Sean Grayson, which involves the alleged first-degree murder of Sonya Massey, a young Black woman from Springfield, Illinois. The request was made to the Sangamon County Circuit Clerk's Office.
This case has drawn statewide attention due to its implications regarding potential misconduct and failures within the justice system. As advocates for government accountability and civil rights, we are seeking public access to critical documents related to this matter—including any orders transferring the case to another venue, motions submitted by attorneys, and upcoming trial dates.
“As a community advocacy organization, we believe the public has the right to know how cases involving violence, race, and power are handled in Illinois courtrooms,” said Jake Partee, CEO of Speak Out Illinois. “We are not attorneys. We are ordinary citizens demanding transparency in a system that too often operates behind closed doors.”
In our request, we also called for all associated record fees to be waived under Illinois Supreme Court Rule 10 and the Illinois Clerks of Courts Act (705 ILCS 105/27.2), which support public access when such requests are made in the public interest and not for commercial gain.
We continue to stand with the family and supporters of Sonya Massey and remain committed to ensuring that her name is not forgotten, and that justice is pursued with integrity and transparency.
For questions, interviews, or more information, please contact:
Jacob William Partee (He/Him/His)
CEO & Community Advocate
Speak Out Illinois LLC
📞 (309) 981-7233 | 📧 ceo@speakoutillinoisllc.com
