[4] In 1982, Stephens, then of Caseyville, ran against Democratic incumbent Michael Slape of Pocahontas for the Illinois House of Representatives in the 110th district.
[11] On May 12, 2010, State Representative Stephens pled guilty to DUI and was sentenced to 12 months' supervision and his drivers license was suspended.
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.
[2] 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.
"[15] Stephens has opposed the electric rate relief package proposed by the General Assembly as not giving customers enough money back from Ameren.
"[16] After a recent DUI arrest, coupled with previous discipline for the abuse of controlled substances, Stephens faced revocation of his pharmacist license.
[12] 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.
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.
[18] 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.
[19] 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.