Sangamon Sun

A section of Illinois Route 121 will soon be renamed to honor Illinois Trooper Todd Hanneken who was killed in a single-car crash while on duty in March 2021.

Sen. Steve McClure (R-Litchfield) announced legislation dedicating Route 121 from the Macon/Moultrie County line to the intersection of Route 36 as the "Trooper Todd Hanneken Memorial Highway" in a May 30 news release.

“Trooper Hanneken dedicated his life to serving his community and his state. It’s important to honor his service and dedication, so he can continue to inspire others," McClure said in the release.

According to the obituary published by Dawson & Witkoff Funeral Directors, Hanneken was a lifelong Illinois resident and second generation trooper. At the time of his death in 2021, he was survived by his wife Shelley, two sons, his parents, and brother.

The News-Gazette reported the Champaign County coroner found Hanneken died while on duty on March 25, 2021 after he drove his squad car off Illinois 10 in Bondville and crashed into a tree. The cause of the accident isn't known. The accident report noted that his Ford Explorer cruiser went more than 390 feet before it hit the tree. Heineken was wearing his seatbelt.

Senior Master Trooper Todd Hanneken's name was added to The Illinois State Police Memorial Wall in Springfield last March, according to The Pantagraph.

Senate Joint Resolution 0028, the legislation that dedicated a part of Route 121 in Hanneken's memory, was filed on March 9. Sens. Sally Turner (R-Beason), Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville), Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) and McClure sponsored the bill in the Senate. The resolution was adopted on May 24.

The resolution's Chief House Sponsor, Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) issued a statement after it was adopted. He said, "Todd Hanneken was a second-generation State Trooper, he served honorably. Trooper Hanneken’s service to the State of Illinois will not be forgotten. His memory will be forever enshrined in our community by dedicating a portion of our local highway in his honor.”