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