Ron Stephens

Ron Stephens (born 1948) is a former Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives, representing the 102nd district from 1985 to 1991, and from 1993 until 2011 when he announced his retirement. The district includes portions of Bond County, Madison County, Effingham County, Fayette County and St. Clair County. He was the Assistant Republican Leader in the state House until his retirement.

He and his wife Lisa have nine children between them and live in Greenville, Illinois. Stephens is a licensed pharmacist and co-owns two pharmacies.

Early life and career Stephens was born February 19, 1948, in East St. Louis, Illinois. He served in the U.S. armed forces during the Vietnam War. He was awarded a Purple Heart and a Bronze Star Medal. He earned a Bachelor of Science from St. Louis College of Pharmacy and became a pharmacist.

Illinois House of Representatives In 1982, Stephens, then of Caseyville, ran against Democratic incumbent Michael Slape of Pocahontas for the Illinois House of Representatives in the 110th district. In a 1984 rematch, Stephens defeated Slape and defended his seat from Slape in a 1986 rematch. In 1988, Stephens defeated Democratic candidate Jay Hoffman by approximately 1,500 votes before losing to him in a 1990 rematch. After the loss to Hoffman, Governor Jim Edgar named Stephens the Head of the Illinois Emergency Services and Disaster Agency where he served until he chose to once again run for the Illinois House of Representatives after the 1991 decennial redistricting. He defeated Robert Daiber, a farmer from Marine, in the newly drawn 110th district by 259 votes.

During his legislative tenure, Stephens served as a member of the Central Committee of the Illinois Republican Party elected by Republicans from what was then Illinois's 21st congressional district.

On May 12, 2010, State Representative Stephens pled guilty to DUI and was sentenced to 12 months' supervision and his drivers license was suspended. He had already been put on probation due to a previous conviction for using controlled substances in 2001. Stephens announced his retirement on August 2, 2011, saying that a newly redistricted map was a factor in his choice. The new map "made the decision a little easier," said Stephens. "I could run against Cavaletto, or run in the new district. Neither of those choices was palatable." By resigning before his term expires, Stephens made it possible for local Republican County Chairmen to pick a replacement, who could then run as an incumbent for the 2012 election. On August 13, 2011, it was announced that Paul Evans would replace Stephens.

Stephens has opposed the electric rate relief package proposed by the General Assembly as not giving customers enough money back from Ameren. Stephens said, "This supposed 'rate relief' package will only give back seven or eight dollars a month to Ameren customers who have seen their electric bills go up by hundreds of dollars a month. Who are they kidding? This legislation is disgraceful."

On November 30, 2010, while the politician was still being subjected to monthly drug tests, Ron Stephens was one of the biggest opponents of and voted against the proposed medical marijuana bill in Illinois. The bill narrowly failed passing. Stephens was quoted as saying "This should be called the marijuana possession law ... It doesn't restrict the use in any one way."

That same week, Stephens was a vocal opponent of the Illinois Civil Unions bill, which passed despite his opposition. He said civil unions were a "slippery slope" and "just call me an old-fashioned traditionalist" going on to say that it will lead to society crumbling and failing.

Comments regarding Governor Blagojevich After Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich paid for a $600 makeup tab with public funds, Stephens asked the House Speaker Michael Madigan before recess on a Friday when the "Gubernatorial Cosmetology Committee" would be meeting.

In October 2008, Stephens was interviewed by the Associated Press regarding Blagojevich's executive order implementing FamilyCare, an expansion of the healthcare system that never gained the General Assembly's approval and was declared unconstitutional by two courts. After state departments sent pharmacies that had participated in the program notices that they would not be paid for the services rendered under the program, Stephens told the AP that Blagojevich should pay for the prescription drugs out of his own private accounts.