Wikipedia

Bradley Stephens

Bradley A. Stephens is a Republican Party politician currently serving as state representative from the 20th district within the Illinois General Assembly and the village president (mayor) of Rosemont, Illinois.

Brad Stephens
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
from the 20th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
June 29, 2019
Preceded byMichael P. McAuliffe
Village President of Rosemont, Illinois
Incumbent
Assumed office
May 1, 2007
Preceded byDonald E. Stephens
Supervisor of Leyden Township, Illinois
In office
May 1993 – May 2013
Preceded byAngelo “Skip” Saviano
Succeeded byJoseph Ponzio
Personal details
Political partyRepublican
RelativesDonald Stephens (father)

Stephens was appointed to his seat in the Illinois House of Representatives on June 29, 2019 to replace Michael P. McAuliffe, and won election to a full term in the Illinois House of Representatives in 2020. He has served as the village president of Rosemont since being appointed in 2007 to succeed his father Donald Stephens (who had died in office), and has since been elected to three full four-year terms.

Stephens has also served as a member of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority board of directors, the Leyden Township supervisor (an elected position), a member of the Pace board of directors, and a Rosemont village trustee (an elected position). Stephens is the Leyden Township Republican Party committeeperson, an elected party position.

Early life and family

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Stephens was born on February 5, 1963. Stephens' family is highly influential in Rosemont, Illinois' government. Stephens' father Donald Stephens was a founder of the village, and, until his death in 2007, served as its first village president.[1][2][3] As of 2010, the Stephens family had ten family members on the village's payroll, cumulatively earning nearly $1 million in annual salary.[2] At that time, five members of his family were elected officials in the city.[2]

Stephens' mother was Estelle “Pat” Stephens (née Patronski).[4] She died in 2019.

Early career

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In 1989, Stephens became a Rosemont village trustee, an elected position.[5] He would continue to hold this position for 18 years, until he was appointed mayor in 2007.[6][7]

Stephens also served as Leyden Township supervisor, an elected position.[8][9] He would hold this position until 2013.[10] Stephen's opted to run for reelection in 2012 and was succeeded in 2013 by Joseph Ponzio.[11]

Stephens has served as the Leyden Township Republican Party committeeperson, an elected party position.[12] He has won election to this position every four years since 2006 by a vote of those participating in the Republican primaries.

Rosemont village presidency (2007–present)

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Stephens was appointed village president of Rosemont by the Village of Rosemont Board of Trustees on May 1, 2007, two weeks after his father, Donald Stephens, died in office. He was sworn in on May 6.[13] He was elected to a full term in 2009 with 91% of the vote,[14] and has been reelected as village president in 2013, 2017, and 2021.

 
Flag of Rosemont

While mayor, he has continued to serve as the Leyden Township Republican Party committeeperson. He also, until 2013, continued to serve as Leyden Township supervisor.

Stephens earns a $260,000 salary as mayor, making him one of the highest-paid mayors.[15][16]

Stephens was a member of the Pace board of directors.[17]

Among the major developments that came to the village during Stephens' tenure was the Fashion Outlets of Chicago, which opened in 2013.[18][19]

Stephens sought to lure the Chicago Cubs Major League Baseball team to build a new stadium for the team in the village, offering to, free-of-charge, give them 25 acres of land in the village to the west of the Interstate 294 and south of Balmoral Avenue. The village offered hundreds of millions of dollars in tax incentives to the team.[20] This came amid negotiations between the city of Chicago and the Cubs over proposed renovations to the team's existing stadium, Wrigley Field.[21] The Chicago Cubs ultimately remained at Wrigley Field, undertaking renovations. Stephens would bring a professional baseball stadium to the village in the form of the form of Impact Field, which opened in 2018 as the home of the Chicago Dogs independent baseball team.[22]

Stephens was appointed as a member of the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority's board of directors in June 2018.[23] His tenure on this board of directors would be relatively brief.

Member of the Illinois House of Representatives (2019–present)

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Stephens was appointed to serve as the member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 20th district on June 29, 2019, filling the seat previously held by Michael P. McAuliffe.[24][25][26][27]

The 20th district includes all or parts of Des Plaines, Park Ridge, Rosemont, Schiller Park, Norridge, Harwood Heights, Franklin Park, and the Chicago neighborhoods of Edison Park, Norwood Park, and O'Hare.[28] Stephens is the only Republican representing a significant portion of Chicago in the Illinois General Assembly, and indeed the only Republican representing a significant portion of Chicago at the state or federal level.

In the 2019–20 session (the 101st Illinois General Assembly), he served on the Appropriations-Elementary & Secondary Education; Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, & IT; Health Care Licenses; Financial Institutions; Veterans' Affairs; and Mental Health committees.[17]

Stephens was elected to a full term in the Illinois House of Representatives in 2020.[29] In his reelection campaign, he painted himself as standing against Democratic Party political boss Michael Madigan, and tied his Democratic opponent, Michelle Darbo, to Madigan (who, indeed, had been giving her campaign financial backing).[30][31] Despite being a Republican, Stephens himself had past ties to Madigan, as he had once been a significant donor to Madigan.[31] Democrats attacked Stephens for accepting political contributions to his reelection campaign from red light camera contractors.[30]

In the 2020–21 session (the 102nd Illinois General Assembly), he is serving on the Appropriations-Elementary & Secondary Education; Cybersecurity, Data Analytics, & IT; Financial Institutions; Health Care Licenses; Mental Health; and Veterans' Affairs committees.[32]

Personal life

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Stephens lives in Rosemont with his wife, Suzi.[17] Stephens is the father of five children.[17]

Electoral history

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Rosemont village Trustee

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1993 Village of Rosemont Trustees elections (3 seats)[33]
Party Candidate Votes %
L. Clemmensen
Bradley A. Stephens (incumbent)
Emmett Michael
Total votes 100
2001 Village of Rosemont Trustees elections (3 seats)[34]
Party Candidate Votes %
Rosemont Voters' League Bradley A. Stephens (incumbent) 755 34.4
Rosemont Voters' League Emmett Michael (incumbent) 726 33.1
Rosemont Voters' League William J. Przybylski 715 32.60
Total votes 2,196 100
2005 Village of Rosemont Trustees elections (3 seats)[35]
Party Candidate Votes %
Rosemont Voters' League Bradley A. Stephens (incumbent) 685 34.35
Rosemont Voters' League Sharon Pappas 655 32.85
Rosemont Voters' League Ralph DiMatteeo 654 32.80
Total votes 1,994 100

Leyden Township Supervisor

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2001 Leyden Township Supervisor election[36]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bradley A. Stephens (incumbent) 11,169 100
Total votes 11,169 100
2005 Leyden Township Supervisor election[37]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bradley A. Stephens (incumbent) 7,880 100
Total votes 7,880 100
2009 Leyden Township Supervisor election[38]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bradley A. Stephens (incumbent) 9,446 100
Turnout 9,446 20.87

Rosemont Village President

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2009 Village of Rosemont President election[39]
Party Candidate Votes %
Rosemont Voters' League Bradley A. Stephens (incumbent) 998 91.06
Independent Joseph E. Watrach 98 8.94
Turnout 1096 21
2013 Village of Rosemont President election[40]
Party Candidate Votes %
Rosemont Voters' League Bradley A. Stephens (incumbent) 719 100.0
Turnout 719 19
2017 Village of Rosemont President election[41]
Party Candidate Votes %
Rosemont Voters' League Bradley A. Stephens (incumbent) 694 100.0
Turnout 694 18
2021 Village of Rosemont President election[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Rosemont Voters' League Bradley A. Stephens (incumbent) 616 100.0
Turnout 616 16

Leyden Township Republican Committeeperson

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2010 Leyden Township Republican Committeeman election[43]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bradley A. Stephens (incumbent) 3,854 100.0
Total votes 3,854 100.0
2014 Leyden Township Republican Committeeman election[44]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bradley A. Stephens (incumbent) 3,299 100.0
Total votes 3,299 100.0
2018 Leyden Township Republican Committeeperson election[45]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bradley A. Stephens (incumbent) 2,963 100.0
Total votes 2,963 100.0

Illinois House of Representatives

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2020
Illinois 20th Representative District Republican Primary, 2020[46]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Brad Stephens (incumbent) 3,705 100.0
Total votes 3,705 100.0
Illinois 20th Representative District General Election, 2020[47]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Brad Stephens (incumbent) 28,314 54.60
Democratic Michelle Darbro 23,546 45.40
Total votes 51,860 100.0
2022
Illinois 20th Representative District Republican Primary, 2022[48]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Brad Stephens (incumbent) 5,300 100.0
Total votes 5,300 100.0
Illinois 20th Representative District General Election, 2022[49]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Brad Stephens (incumbent) 24,146 100.0
Total votes 24,146 100.0

References

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  1. ^ Wronski, Richard (April 19, 2007). "Don Stephens: 1928 - 2007". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  2. ^ a b c Griffin, Jake (August 31, 2011). "Family connections in Rosemont net $2 million in pay". Daily Herald. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  3. ^ Eltagouri, Marwa. "Rosemont mayor's son was public safety chief - South Southwest". digitaledition.chicagotribune.com. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  4. ^ Wessell, Todd (May 20, 2020). "'The Rock Of Our Family': Rosemont Remembers Estelle 'Pat' Stephens | Journal & Topics Media Group". Journal Online. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  5. ^ Reardon, Patrick T. (April 20, 1997). "EVERYTHING'S COMING UP ROSEMONT". Newspapers.com. Chicago Tribune.
  6. ^ Wronski, Richard (May 1, 2007). "Dynasty rises in Rosemont as song follow dad as mayor". Newspapers.com. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  7. ^ "Illinois General Assembly - Representative Biography". www.ilga.gov. Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  8. ^ "Bradley Stephens". www.leyden212.org. Leyden High School District 212. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  9. ^ "2009 Illinois Integrated Justice Information System Summit" (PDF). Retrieved June 30, 2019.
  10. ^ "Leyden Township Center Named After Stephens | Journal & Topics Media Group". Journal Online. October 23, 2013. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  11. ^ "Brad Stephens Probably Won't Seek Reelection As Leyden Supervisor| Journal & Topics Media Group". Journal Online. November 27, 2012. Retrieved November 23, 2024.
  12. ^ "Township Committeemen". Cook County Republican Party. Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  13. ^ "Congratulations, Mayor Bradley Stephens! – Rosemont Chamber". Rosemont Chamber of Commerce. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  14. ^ "Inside the last true political machine in America". The Economist. ISSN 0013-0613. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
  15. ^ "Rosemont Mayor And State Rep. Bradley Stephens Defends Dual Taxpayer-Funded Salaries; 'I Don't Think … What I'll Be Getting Is Beyond Fair'". chicago.cbslocal.com. CBS Chicago (WBBM-TV). July 10, 2019. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  16. ^ Kaiser, Joe (March 22, 2017). "Illinois has some of the highest paid mayors in the world". Illinois Policy. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  17. ^ a b c d "Illinois General Assembly - Representative Biography". www.ilga.gov. Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  18. ^ Slania, John T. (August 30, 2013). "The blossoming of Rosemont: How a tiny suburb became a destination". Daily Herald. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  19. ^ "Guide to Chicago's newest outlet mall". CBSLocal.com. July 30, 2013. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  20. ^ "Rosemont Mayor Stephens Not Giving Up On Cubs | Journal & Topics Media Group". Journal Online. April 17, 2013. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  21. ^ "Chicago suburb makes pitch if Cubs want to move". FOX Sports. April 2, 2013. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  22. ^ Boss, Donna (February 1, 2019). "Flexible Design a Home Run at Impact Field". Foodservice Equipment & Supplies. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  23. ^ "MAYOR OF ROSEMONT JOINS ILLINOIS TOLLWAY BOARD OF DIRECTORS". WRUL 97.3. June 27, 2018. Retrieved June 30, 2019.
  24. ^ Miller, Rich (June 29, 2019). "Martwick to the Senate, Mayor Stephens to the House". Capitol Fax. Retrieved June 29, 2019.
  25. ^ Sandalow, Brian (June 21, 2019). "Rosemont Mayor Brad Stephens weighs adding role as state legislator, replacing Michael McAuliffe". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  26. ^ "Rosemont Mayor And State Rep. Bradley Stephens Defends Dual Taxpayer-Funded Salaries; 'I Don't Think … What I'll Be Getting Is Beyond Fair' – CBS Chicago". Chicago.cbslocal.com. July 10, 2019. Retrieved August 31, 2019.
  27. ^ "Rosemont mayor appointed state representative". www.dailyherald.com. June 29, 2019. Retrieved September 1, 2019.
  28. ^ Veeneman, Drew. "20th House District" (PDF). precinctmaps.com. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 8, 2012. Retrieved February 1, 2013.
  29. ^ "Brad Stephens". Ballotpedia. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  30. ^ a b Herguth, Robert (October 18, 2020). "Illinois Dems slam GOP candidate for taking donations from red-light camera biz — but Madigan's ties to industry run deep". Chicago Sun-Times. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  31. ^ a b Placek, Christopher (October 21, 2020). "Once a Madigan donor, Stephens now says he's taking on speaker's 'corruption'". Daily Herald. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  32. ^ "Illinois General Assembly - Representative Committees". www.ilga.gov. Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  33. ^ "Cook County". Newspapers.com. Chicago Tribune. April 21, 1993. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  34. ^ "SUBURBAN COOK COUNTY RESULTS". results.cookcountyclerkil.gov. Cook County Clerk. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  35. ^ "Rosemont - Village Trustee (4-Year)". results.cookcountyclerkil.gov. Cook County Clerk's Office. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  36. ^ "SUBURBAN COOK COUNTY RESULTS". results.cookcountyclerkil.gov. Cook County Clerk's Office. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  37. ^ "Leyden Township - Supervisor (4-Year)". results.cookcountyclerkil.gov. Cook County Clerk's Office. Retrieved May 15, 2021.
  38. ^ "Suburban Cook County Election Results April 7, 2009 Consolidated General Election Township Supervisor Leyden Township & Precinct Results". results.cookcountyclerkil.gov. Cook County Clerk's Office. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
  39. ^ "Suburban Cook County Election Results April 7, 2009 Consolidated General Election Rosemont Village President Township & Precinct Results". results.cookcountyclerkil.gov. Cook County Clerk's Office. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  40. ^ "Suburban Cook County Election Results April 9, 2013 Consolidated General Election President, Village of Rosemont Township & Precinct Results". results421.cookcountyclerkil.gov. Cook County Clerk's Office. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  41. ^ "Suburban Cook County Election Results April 4, 2017 Consolidated General Election President, Village of Rosemont Township & Precinct Results". results421.cookcountyclerkil.gov. Cook County Clerk's Office. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  42. ^ "Suburban Cook County Election Results April 6, 2021 Consolidated General Election President, Village of Rosemont Township & Precinct Results". results421.cookcountyclerkil.gov. Cook County Clerk's Office. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  43. ^ "Primary Election 2010 February 2, 2010 Summary Report Cook" (PDF). www.cookcountyclerkil.gov. Cook County Clerk. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  44. ^ "Summary Report - Official Results Cook County General Primary Election March 18, 2014" (PDF). www.cookcountyclerkil.gov. Cook County Clerk. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  45. ^ "Summary Report - Official Results Cook County Primary Election March 20, 2018 Summary Report" (PDF). www.cookcountyclerkil.gov. Cook County Clerk. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
  46. ^ "Election Results 2020 GENERAL PRIMARY". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved February 10, 2022. [permanent dead link‍]
  47. ^ "Election Results 2020 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. December 4, 2020. Retrieved February 10, 2022. [permanent dead link‍]
  48. ^ Illinois State Board of Elections. "Election Results: 2022 General Primary".
  49. ^ "Election Results 2022 GENERAL ELECTION". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved December 4, 2023.
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