Kankakee Times

In an April 14 Facebook post, Sen. Thomas Bennett cheered Community College Month.

“Happy Community College month,” he wrote. “Let's appreciate the valuable role community colleges have in Illinois.”

This came after Texas Republicans sought a bill that would ban counties from opening polling locations on college and university campuses.

Bennett represents the 53rd District of Illinois, including Bureau, Ford, Grundy, Iroquois, LaSalle, Livingston, Marshall, McLean, Peoria, Putnam, Tazewell, Will, and Woodford Counties. From 2015 to early 2023, Bennett served as the State Representative for the 106th District. Bennett has served as a high school and junior high science teacher and IT professional at State Farm Insurance. While working and raising a family, Bennett served as a K-12 school board member, member of the local preschool board and chairman for two years. He was a member of the Parkland College Board of Trustees, including three years as chairman. As a legislator, Bennett has served on task forces and commissions focused on early childhood, teacher assessments, environment and energy.

The National Study of Learning, Voting, and Engagement reported Illinois colleges saw a 26.3% voting rate in 2018.

Governor J.B. Pritzker declared April "Community College Month" in Illinois. The point of this declaration is to raise awareness of community colleges and how they can help a student financially and academically.

The ALL IN Most Engaged Campuses for College Student Voting noted The University of Illinois-Urbana-Champaign for its efforts in increasing its student voter participation.

On April 13, the Association of Community College Trustees shared a Tweet that read: "No matter what twists and turns in your life ahead, no one can take your education away from you." Huge thanks to former First Lady @MichelleObama for joining the #CCMonth campaign! Please keep spreading the word about the value & importance of community colleges!" The tweet included a video message from the former First Lady.