EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (AP) - When Republican state Rep. Ron Stephens announced last year he was leaving the Illinois House, he would only say he was doing so for personal reasons. The Belleville News-Democrat reports Stephens filed for Chapter 13 bankruptcy protection before leaving office. Stephens said Wednesday the bankruptcy filing was a contributing factor in his decision to resign. Stephens, of Greenville, said he is not proud of taking the step. However, he says he and his wife, Lisa, are repaying 100 percent of their debt. Stephens and his wife filed their bankruptcy petition on May 6 in federal court in East St. Louis. On Sept. 12, Judge Laura K. Grandy approved their bankruptcy plan, under which the couple is to pay $241,500 to a bankruptcy trustee over five years. A primary battle had shaped up between Stephens and John Cavaletto of Salem after both were placed in the same district following redistricting after the 2010 U.S. Census. However, the potential showdown failed to materialize when Stephens stepped down. Cavaletto ended up with no primary competition and no Democrat filing against him. - http://goo.gl/C8bM7
