Bill Text: IL HR1037 | 2021-2022 | 102nd General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the death of Senator Scott Bennett.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 2-0)

Status: (Passed) 2023-01-06 - Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Michael T. Marron [HR1037 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2021-HR1037-Introduced.html

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HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives are saddened to learn of the death of Senator
Scott Bennett, who passed away on December 9, 2022; and
WHEREAS, Sen. Bennett was born to Dr. Robert and Barbara
Bennett in Fort Campbell, Kentucky on July 16, 1977; he moved
with his family as an infant to Gibson City, where five
generations of his family have worked on their family farm; he
graduated from Gibson City-Melvin-Sibley High School in 1995;
following, he studied history at Illinois State University and
graduated in 1998; he then studied law at the University of
Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where he graduated in 2002 with a
Juris Doctor; and
WHEREAS, Sen. Bennett began his career in law and politics
in 1999 when he earned an internship at the White House and
served the Clinton Administration in the Office of
Presidential Gifts; he served as a prosecutor with the City of
Chicago and returned to central Illinois to work as an
assistant state's attorney in Bloomington-Normal and later as
an assistant state's attorney in Champaign-Urbana; some of his
most important work was dedicated to seeking justice for child
victims of crime; and

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WHEREAS, Sen. Bennett was appointed to fill Michael
Frerichs' vacant state senate seat in 2015; he was known to
rise above partisanship to find common ground for the good of
Illinois; he was a tireless advocate for measures to protect
the environment, agriculture in Illinois, and the quality of
life for the most vulnerable in the State of Illinois; and
WHEREAS, Sen. Bennett served as the chairman of the Higher
Education Committee; he served as the vice chairman of the
Judiciary Committee and State Government Committee; he served
as the sub-chairman of the Judiciary, Appropriations for
Higher Education, Redistricting for East Central and Southeast
Illinois, Judiciary-Privacy, and Unemployment Insurance
Committees; he served as the sub-vice-chairman for the
Redistricting of West Central Illinois and Judiciary-Business
Entities Committees; he served as a member of the Agriculture
Committee, the Executive Appointments Committee, Redistricting
Committee, and Redistricting Southern Illinois Committee; and
WHEREAS, Sen. Bennett instituted protections to keep
drinking water in the Mahomet Aquifer safe; he promoted
compassionate courtrooms, including authorizing the use of
comfort dogs; he worked with Treasurer Michael Frerichs to
create the ABLE Act, which helped cover expenses for persons
with disabilities; he fought to increase college affordability
and worked to support the University of Illinois, Parkland

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College, and Danville Community College; and
WHEREAS, Sen. Bennett was dedicated to the people of his
district; he would always make time to hear of their troubles
and work towards solutions within and without the State
legislature; he was known for checking on his constituents to
ask how they were doing and if there was anything he could do
to help; and
WHEREAS, Sen. Bennett was a beloved family man and was
known for his humor and quick wit; he was a genuine and caring
person with friends, family, constituents, and colleagues from
his own party and across the aisle; he could bring a smile to
anyone's face and create a space for connection with a laugh;
and
WHEREAS, Sen. Bennett always found time to take care of
his family and to work on his family's centennial farm; he was
proud to obtain a commercial driver's license so he could haul
grain in a semi-truck to the area grain elevator; he took time
to call constituents while waiting for the truck to be loaded
to ask about their day; he loved being a part of the farming
community of Illinois; and
WHEREAS, Sen. Bennett final act of service was to his
beloved family; he safely drove his family home from the

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airport after a family trip, tucked his children into bed, and
kissed his wife goodnight; he was found unresponsive in bed
the next morning due to an undiagnosed brain tumor and was
taken to the Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana; and
WHEREAS, Sen. Bennett was preceded in death by his
grandmother, Charlene Bennett; his grandmother, Marge Barry;
his grandfather, Lee Barry; his uncle, Dennis Barry; his
cousin, Crystal Barry; and his mother-in-law, Mardelle
Meredith; and
WHEREAS, Sen. Bennett is survived by his wife of 20 years,
Stacy Bennett; his children, Sam and Emma; his parents, Dr.
Robert and Barbara Bennett; his brother, Rob Bennett; his
sister-in-law, Mabruka Yazidi; his niece, Naimi
Yazidi-Bennett; his uncles, Rep. Tom Bennett and Doug Bennett;
his aunt, Carol Bennett-Barker; his aunt, Wanda Driscoll; his
aunt, Carol Sanecki; his father-in-law, Bill Meredith; many
cousins and friends; and his dog, Betty White; therefore, be
it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDRED SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we mourn the passing of Senator Scott Bennett and extend our
sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew
and loved him; and be it further

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RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be
presented to the family of Sen. Bennett as an expression of our
deepest sympathy.