Ron Stephens (Illinois politician)

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.

After a recent DUI arrest, coupled with previous discipline for the abuse of controlled substances, Stephens faced revocation of his pharmacist license. He pleaded guilty to DUI in July 2010 and because of his past habitual drug use, agreed to monthly drug tests. His pharmacy license is on "indefinite" probation, for a minimum of one year.

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."

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.

Stephens was critical of the Democratic majority leadership in the state and the General Assembly during the 2007 budget crisis: "You had everything that the political world could give you, and you have squandered it. You have squandered it at taxpayers' expense. Democrats, with all the power the people could give them, have failed the people of Illinois."

In early February 2006, Stephens challenged Blagojevich in an appearance on The Daily Show to discuss the Governor's executive order that pharmacists must dispense any drugs for which a customer had a valid prescription, including birth control pills and Plan B. Blagojevich was interviewed by Jason Jones, who repeatedly pretended to be unable to pronounce Blagojevich and simply called him "Governor Smith". This prompted Blagojevich to turn to the camera and ask "Is he teasing me or is that legit?" Two weeks after the interview, Blagojevich admitted that he was unaware of the nature of the show. Stephens said he knew beforehand that the show was a comedy show: "I thought the governor was hip enough that he would have known that, too."

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.

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.

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.

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.