State Sen. Stacy Bennett (D-Champaign), appointed to serve the final weeks of the 102nd Illinois General Assembly after the passing of her husband, Scott Bennett, says she and her family are still struggling with the loss. Scott Bennett died Dec. 9 of complications from an undiagnosed brain tumor.

While the new senator believes she fits into the General Assembly pretty well now, she says she was not a “co-senator” with her late husband.

“I was mainly there as a sounding board and just to kind of talk through things. We did have very similar views on things, but, especially with things like with higher ed,” said Stacy Bennett, a professor whose specialty is higher education administration, “we would maybe go through it for some clarity and some nuances on some different bills.”

She says the short time as a senator is some help with the grieving and recovery process, what with so many people she is meeting that she only had been hearing about.

Stacy Bennett, as a suddenly single mom, says serving in the legislature is not a long-term option now. Paul Faraci will be sworn in Wednesday.