Thomas M. Bennett

Thomas Michael Bennett (born June 8, 1956) is a Republican member-designate of the Illinois Senate from the 53rd district.[2] The 53rd district includes all or portions of Bureau, Ford, Grundy, Iroquois, LaSalle, Marshall, McLean, Peoria, Putnam, Tazewell, Will, and Woodford counties in central Illinois.[3]

Tom Bennett
Member of the Illinois Senate
from the 53rd district
Assumed office
January 11, 2023 (2023-Jan-11)
Preceded byJason Barickman
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
from the 106th district
In office
January 14, 2015 (2015-Jan-14) – January 11, 2023
Preceded byJosh Harms
Succeeded byJason Bunting
Chair of the Parkland College
Board of Trustees
In office
April 18, 2012 (2012-April-18) – January 14, 2015 (2015-Jan-14)
Preceded byJames L. Ayers
Succeeded byDana Trimble
Personal details
Born (1956-06-08) June 8, 1956[1]
Gibson City, Illinois
Political partyRepublican
RelationsScott M. Bennett (nephew}
ResidenceGibson City, Illinois
Alma materEastern Illinois University (BS)
Illinois State University (BS, MBA)
N.S.U. (D.B.A.)
ProfessionIT Manager
High School Teacher (former)

Prior to his appointment to the Illinois Senate, Bennett represented the 106th district in the Illinois House of Representatives and was Chairman of the Parkland College Board of Trustees.

Early life and career

Bennett is a lifelong resident of Gibson City. He worked at State Farm for 30 years and was previously a teacher at Melvin-Sibley High School. Tom and his wife Kathy, a retired high school teacher, have two children and four grandchildren. His nephew, Scott M. Bennett, represented Champaign–Urbana.[4] An elected member of the Parkland College Board of Trustees, Bennett became the board's chair taking over for James L. Ayers in April 2012. Bennett was succeeded in the role by Dana Trimble.[5][6] In 2016, he was selected as an elector from Illinois's 16th congressional district who would have been pledged to Donald Trump and Mike Pence had they won Illinois's 20 electoral votes.[7]

Illinois House of Representatives

At the time, the 106th district included all or parts of Ford, Iroquois, Vermillion, Livingston and Woodford counties.[8] During the 102nd General Assembly, Bennett was a member of the following Illinois House committees:[9]

  • Appropriations - Elementary & Secondary Education Committee (HAPE)
  • Appropriations - Public Safety Committee (HAPP)
  • Child Care Access & Early Child Access Committee (HCEC)
  • Elementary & Secondary Education: School Curriculum & Policies (HELM)
  • Law Enforcement Subcommittee (SHPF-LAWE)
  • Police & Fire Committee (SHPF)

On January 28, 2020, Governor J.B. Prizker appointed Bennett to serve as a member of the Guardianship and Advocacy Commission for a term ending June 30, 2022.[10] He was not confirmed during the 101st General Assembly and his appointment was carried over to the 102nd General Assembly for consideration.[11]

Illinois Senate

After the resignation of Jason Barickman, Bennett was appointed to succeed Barickman as Senator from the 53rd district for the 103rd General Assembly.[2]

References
  1. "Q & A in 106th District: Bennett".
  2. Barichello, Derek (January 7, 2023). "Tom Bennett Named Barickman Successor". Shaw Local. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  3. "Maps of Districts of the Illinois Senate (2023-2033)". Illinois State Board of Elections. July 16, 2022. p. 53. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  4. 'A Life remembered: Sen. Scott M. Bennett made his native Gibson City proud,' Ford County Chronicle {Illinois), Will Brumleve, December 12, 2022
  5. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-09-24. Retrieved 2014-11-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-08-12. Retrieved 2015-09-29.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. "Who Will Sit On The Electoral College From Illinois | NPR Illinois". nprillinois.org. 23 August 2016. Retrieved 2016-10-20.
  8. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-01-26. Retrieved 2014-11-08.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  9. "Illinois General Assembly - Representative Committees". ilga.gov. Retrieved 2022-07-04.
  10. Pritzker, J.B. (February 4, 2021). "Appointment Message 1010456". Letter to Illinois Senate.
  11. Pritzker, J.B. "Appointment Message 1010456". Letter to Illinois Senate.
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