South Central Reporter

A portion of Illinois Route 121 will soon bear the name of fallen Senior Master Trooper Todd Hanneken to honor his memory a little more than two years after he died in a single-car crash while on the job.

Sen. Steve McClure (R-Springfield) announced the resolution in honor of Hanneken was adopted 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 Hanneken's obituary, published by Dawson & Witkoff Funeral Directors, Hanneken lived in Illinois his entire life and was a second generation State Trooper, which was a main goal in his life. At the time of his death, he left behind his wife, Shelley, two sons, his parents and his brother.

The News-Gazette reported the Champaign County Coroner found Hanneken died in an accident on March 25, 2021 after he went off Illinois 10 in Bondville and crashed. Hanneken was wearing his seatbelt, but an accident report revealed his Ford Explorer cruiser went more than 390 feet before it hit a tree. It even crossed three driveways and went airborne. What caused the crash is unknown.

A year after his death, Hanneken's name was placed on The Illinois State Police Memorial Wall in Springfield, according to The Pantagraph.

Under Senate Joint Resolution 0028, Illinois Route 121 from the Macon/Moultrie County line to the intersection of Route 36 in Decatur will be named the "Trooper Todd Hanneken Memorial Highway. Sens. Sally Turner (R-Beason), Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville), Chapin Rose (R-Mahomet) and McClure all sponsored the bill in the Senate. It was filed on March 9, 2023, and moved to the House of Representatives on May 19 where it was adopted five days later. 

Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur), the resolution's chief sponsor in the House, issued a statement after it was adopted on May 24. “Todd Hanneken was a second-generation State Trooper, he served honorably," Caulkins said in the statement. "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.”