HR1037 102ND GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1037 LRB102 30064 MST 42265 r

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

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 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 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

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