Paul Faraci

Paul Faraci is a Democratic member of the Illinois Senate from the 52nd district. The 52nd district includes Champaign, Danville, Rantoul, St. Joseph, and Urbana. Faraci was appointed to succeed Scott Bennett in the 103rd General Assembly.

Early life and career

Faraci was born in Chicago, Illinois to Piero and Flora Faraci, well-regarded Champaign restaurateurs and small business owners. Faraci later opened and operated his own restaurant in Downtown Champaign, the City of New Orleans.
Following his career in the restaurant industry, Faraci worked as a senior account manager for the Illinois [Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity] before serving as a senior advisor to Illinois State Treasurer Mike Frerichs.
From 2011 to 2017, Faraci served on the Champaign City Council. He also served as Deputy Mayor from 2015 to 2017.

Illinois Senate

On December 9, 2022, Scott Bennett died from complications due to a brain tumor. This created a vacancy for both the remainder of the 102nd General Assembly and the 103rd General Assembly to which Bennett had been elected. Scott Bennett's widow, Stacy, was appointed to fill the remainder of Scott's term in the 102nd General Assembly. On January 7, 2023, Faraci was appointed by the Democratic county party chairpersons of Champaign and Vermilion County to serve in the 103rd General Assembly. He took office on January 11, 2023.