Steve Rauschenberger (born August 29, 1956) is an American politician who served as a Republican member of the Illinois State Senate from 1993 to 2007.
In 1980, he purchased his family's business, Rauschenberger Furniture Co., and went on in 1985 to buy Ackemann Brothers Corp., of which he is currently president and general manager.
He also served as the Senate negotiator for KidCare, the state health insurance program for children in low-income, working families.
[12] In 2003, when the Democratic Party took a majority in the Illinois Senate, he lost his chairmanship of the appropriations committee, but was appointed to be an Assistant Republican Leader under Frank Watson.
[9] He also served as Minority Spokesman on the Joint Task Force on Immigrants and Refugees[13] In the Senate, Rauschenberger's legislative agenda including supporting statewide tax caps, increasing the income tax exemption, enacting "pro-life" policies and balancing the budget.
[9][14] During his time in the Illinois Senate, Rauschenberger was active with the National Conference of State Legislatures including serving as co-chair of the Taskforce on Telecommunications and Electronic Commerce, an executive board member and Vice President.
[17] Despite being heavily out matched in fundraising, he rode a late surge fueled by sweeping editorial endorsements, including the Chicago Tribune to finish third in the March 16, 2004 Illinois U.S. Senate Republican primary election that was won by Jack Ryan.
[23] He ultimately lost to Topinka's running mate and DuPage County States Attorney Joe Birkett.
[28] During the 2010 election cycle Rauschenberger chose to run against Mike Noland, his successor as state senator and the Democratic incumbent.