Meet Harry Benton

Harry Benton was elected as the State Representative for the 97th House District in the fall of 2022. Representative Benton has deep roots in the area and is a fourth-generation Will County citizen. He grew up in Crest Hill, attending Richland Grade School (K-8) and Lockport Township High School. Following his secondary education, Benton moved to Joliet with his now-wife Erin for a brief time before relocating to Plainfield in 2012. He has close ties to the community he grew up in as well as Plainfield, the community he has called home now for over 10 years. 

Benton has been civically engaged for the majority of his life through various volunteer and leadership roles. Inspired by the adversities in his own life and those in the community, Benton desired to become the advocate for the 97th District in Springfield. Since taking office, Harry continues to strive to increase the overall well-being of the residents in the District and our great state of Illinois. 

From a young age, his parents instilled in him the importance of community and giving back. He was the caregiver for his parents during extremely difficult health complications; these experiences have made him a champion in the fight for healthcare access and affordability. Benton intends to fight for the protection of the most vulnerable populations, and the environment, while also increasing government transparency. Additionally, as an ironworker, he understands the needs of working-class families and the value of good-paying jobs for the next generations.

Harry is happily married to his high school sweetheart, Erin. After a difficult battle with infertility, they have two wonderful children together: Evelyn and Harrison. Benton is an unwavering advocate for fertility treatments and women’s reproductive health rights.