Kankakee Times

Rep. Thomas Bennett (R-Watseka) has been checking in with community leaders across his district ahead of the June 28 primary election.

“In Danville, I talked with Assistant Regional Superintendent Courtney Dudley about an educational issue and visited with Vermilion Advantage director Nicole Van Hyfte about local county issues,” Bennett posted on Facebook. “(I) stopped in Milford at the Village Hall to chat with Robin Rogers about a local issue and had a quick lunch with Country Financial Representative Bob Burd in Watseka.”

In a May 31 Facebook post, Bennett posted photos from the Run for the Wall event and a quote from District Director Claire Bossong: “What a great morning spent at the Run for the Wall event through Watseka today. Met many great people, shared stories and handshakes, and prayed for those no longer with us. Such a great organization and we were glad they came to Watseka on this beautiful day!”

On May 29, Bennett stopped at K&H and enjoyed breakfast with some of his constituents.

“Great conversation at breakfast with Joda Crabtree at K&H last week! Appreciate discussion from family to the University of Illinois, local businesses and State/Local Government. Lots going on!” Bennet wrote in a May 29 Facebook post.

Also in late May, Bennett spoke out against IDES and its efforts to deal with fraud, taking to social media to share an article detailing the agency's shortfalls.

“Records show Illinois Department of Employment Security lost $1.2 million in taxpayer money to fraudsters,” he said in a Facebook post.

The Illinois Prisoner Review Board’s vote to release Richard West, 65, and Patrick Inocencio, 40, spurred Bennett to demand reform of the process.

He’s also spoken about the potential shutdown of Pontiac Correctional.

“The focus was on the total lack of communication, information and transparency by the Department of Corrections and Director Jeffreys with legislators, both Democrats and Republicans, and this community on the Director’s plans and vision for the Pontiac Correctional Center,” Bennet wrote in a May 11 Facebook post. “His communications with legislators and the community (have) stopped. We are being ignored by our state government. I am deeply disappointed.”