Scott Michael Bennett (July 16, 1977 – December 9, 2022) was an American attorney, politician and Democratic member of the Illinois Senate representing the 52nd district from 2015 to 2022.

Scott Bennett
Member of the Illinois Senate
from the 52nd district
In office
January 12, 2015 (2015-Jan-12) – December 9, 2022 (2022-Dec-09)
Preceded byMike Frerichs
Succeeded byStacy Bennett
Personal details
Born(1977-07-16)July 16, 1977
Gibson City, Illinois, U.S.
DiedDecember 9, 2022(2022-12-09) (aged 45)
Urbana, Illinois, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseStacy
RelationsThomas M. Bennett (uncle)
Children2
ResidenceChampaign, Illinois
Alma materIllinois State University (B.A.)
University of Illinois (J.D.)
ProfessionAttorney

Early life

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Bennett was born in Gibson City, Illinois, and moved to Champaign to attend law school. He was married with two children. Bennett worked as a prosecutor with the Office of the Champaign County State's Attorney.

Illinois Senate

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Bennett was appointed to fill the vacancy left by Mike Frerichs, who resigned from representing the 52nd legislative district after he was elected Treasurer of Illinois in the 2014 general election.[1] The 52nd district, located in Central Illinois, includes the towns of Champaign, Danville, Georgetown, Gifford, Rantoul, Thomasboro, and Urbana.[2][3] His uncle Thomas M. Bennett also served in the Illinois General Assembly.[4] Stacy Bennett succeeded Scott Bennett for the remainder of the 102nd General Assembly.[5] On January 7, 2023, Paul Faraci, the Champaign Township Assessor, was appointed to fill the vacancy in the 103rd General Assembly created by Bennett's death.[6]

Committee assignments

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During the 102nd General Assembly, Senator Bennett was a member of the following Illinois Senate committees:[7]

  • Agriculture Committee (SAGR)
  • (Chairman of) Appropriations - Higher Education Committee (SAPP-SAHE)
  • Executive Appointments Committee (SEXA)
  • (Chairman of) Higher Education Committee (SCHE)
  • Judiciary Committee (SJUD)
  • Judiciary - Business Entities Committee (SJUD-SJBE)
  • (Chairman of) Judiciary - Privacy Committee (SJUD-SJPR)
  • Labor Committee (SLAB)
  • Redistricting Committee (SRED)
  • (Chairman of) Redistricting - East Central & Southeast Illinois Committee (SRED-SRSE)
  • Redistricting - Southern Illinois Committee (SRED-SRSI)
  • Redistricting - West Central Illinois Committee (SRED-SRWC)
  • State Government Committee (SGOA)
  • (Chairman of) Unemployment Insurance (SLAB-SLUI)

Death

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Bennett died from complications of a brain tumor in Urbana, Illinois, on December 9, 2022, at the age of 45.[8][9]

References

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  1. ^ Huchel, Brian (January 13, 2015). "Bennett steps in to fill state senator's spot". Commercial-News. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  2. ^ Staff (June 3, 2011). "Illinois Representative District 103" (PDF). Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  3. ^ Staff (June 3, 2011). "Illinois Representative District 104" (PDF). Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  4. ^ ;A life remembered: Sen. Scott Bennett made his native Gibson City proud,' Ford County Chronicle (Illinois), Will Brumleve, December 12, 2022
  5. ^ Connolly, Danny (December 22, 2022). "Stacy Bennett to temporarily fill late husband's Senate seat". WCIA. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  6. ^ D'Alessio, Jeff (January 7, 2023). "Township assessor Faraci selected for 52nd District Senate seat". The News-Gazette. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  7. ^ "Illinois General Assembly - Senator Committees". ilga.gov. Retrieved July 4, 2022.
  8. ^ Miller, Rich (December 9, 2022). "Sen. Bennett has died". Capitol Fax. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  9. '^ 'Obituary: Scott Bennett,' Ford County Chronicle (Illinois), December 14, 2022
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