Illinois Democrat Senator Scott Bennett Dies Unexpectedly At Age 45

SPRINGFIELD, IL — Illinois State Sen. Scott Bennett died from natural causes on Friday after being hospitalized on Thursday, the Champaign County Coroner announced. He was 45.

Bennett, a Democrat, was pronounced dead at 1:15 p.m. at Carle Foundation Hospital and had been under a doctor’s care, the coroner said. The coroner did not provide any further information on the senator’s death.

No information about Bennett's condition was provided when the senator was taken to the hospital for care on Thursday, according to reports.

Bennett, who leaves behind a wife and two children, previously served as the Assistant State Attorney in Champaign County and joined the Senate in 2015 when he took over the seat of Michael Frerichs, who was elected as the state’s treasurer.

“The loss of Senator Scott Bennett is an unexpected tragedy. Senator Bennett’s collegiality and dedication was instrumental to the work of refining and enhancing the SAFE-T Act, and his dedication to his community was paramount,” State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth (D-Peoria) said in a statement issued on Friday. “His passing is a sad moment for our state as a whole, and his community, his friends, and his family in particular. We are united in grief with all who loved Senator Bennett, and wish peace and comfort for his family.”

In a statement, Gov. J.B. Pritzker called Bennett a “dedicated public servant” and devoted father.

“Senator Scott Bennett was a good man who always operated with the best of interest of his constituents in mind,” Pritzker said. “Throughout his time in Springfield, he fiercely advocated for the institutions that shaped his life, from his upbringing on a Gibson City farm, all the way to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The entire state is a better place thanks to his service. MK and I send our thoughts to his loving wife Stacey and their two beautiful children during this difficult period."

In a social media post, the Illinois Republican Party expressed its condolences.

"Sadly we are mourning the tragic passing of Senator Scott Bennett," a statement on the party's Twitter feed read. "He was a genuine public servant and an honorable man. We are sending our heartfelt prayers to his family in their time of need."