Late Sen. Bennett 'remembered as a leader' in memorial highway dedication

OAKWOOD, Ill. (WAND) — Friends, family, and colleagues of the late State Senator Scott Bennett came together on Thursday to honor him by naming portions of Interstate 74 the "Senator Scott M. Bennett Memorial Highway."

The joint resolution designating I-74 from U.S. Route 45 in Champaign to the Indiana state line was passed last spring.

“Senator Bennett continues to be remembered as a leader in our communities who dedicated his life to serving the people of Illinois,” said State Senator Paul Faraci (D-Champaign). “He will forever be missed, but his legacy will never be forgotten. This is one way we can continue to honor him for decades to come.”

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The Illinois Department of Transportation placed the signs on Thursday.

Bennett's brother Rob shared that Scott would have appreciated the gesture.

"He would have not only thought this was an honor, but also a really, really neat thing," said Bennett at the event. "Something connecting all the communities that he served, but also representing his interest in all fields, all locations, and all people."

Bennett joined the Senate as the unanimous choice to fill the vacancy in the 52nd State Senate District in 2015. Since the beginning of his career, Senator Bennett dedicated his service to spurring economic development, supporting family farming, providing Illinois’ students with greater opportunities, and promoting bipartisanship across the state. As chair of the Senate’s Higher Education Committee, he was a champion for higher education facilities by advocating for funding and student rights.

He passed away in December 2022, leaving behind his wife and two children.