A central Illinois lawmaker was particularly close to the situation that resulted in the loss of Champaign police officer and Monticello resident Chris Oberheim last spring and is advocating for the stretch of interstate connecting Decatur and Champaign to be named in his honor.

State Sen. Chapin Rose knew one of the officers that responded to a domestic situation that ultimately resulted in Officer Oberheim losing his life and on the Illinois Senate floor last week outlined how he experienced that fateful day.

Sen. Rose explains his friend was the other responding officer on the scene that morning. He is thankful his friend came away from the situation alive and points out the situation involved a multiple convicted felon.

Both officers were in leadership roles at their respective churches and coached softball. Officer Oberheim left behind a wife and four daughters and Sen. Rose says renaming that corridor is the least they could do to honor him.

Sen. Rose points out Officer Oberheim grew up in Decatur and served on the Decatur Police Department before transferring to the Champaign Police Department and Monticello is right between the two communities. 

The resolution passed 56-0.