Mark Stephens Charged With Cocaine Possession After Harvard Traffic Stop

Rosemont figure faces drug charges in McHenry County

HARVARD, Illinois — Mark Stephens, the chairman of the Triton College board and a member of Rosemont’s politically prominent Stephens family, was charged with cocaine possession after a traffic stop in Harvard, according to police. Stephens, 67, was pulled over for allegedly speeding in the far northwest Chicago suburbs when officers said they found an unmarked prescription bottle containing a substance that later tested positive for cocaine.

Harvard police said Stephens dropped the bottle beneath his vehicle as he got out after the stop. He was charged with unlawful possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of cannabis by a driver and speeding, police said. The drug charge was filed in McHenry County.

In a statement, police said officers smelled unburnt cannabis coming from the vehicle and asked Stephens whether cannabis was inside. Stephens then handed officers an open container of cannabis, according to the department. The city’s Harvard police statement did not identify the amount of cocaine allegedly recovered or provide additional details about the stop.

Stephens has long held public and business roles in Rosemont

Stephens lives in Rosemont, the small but influential suburb near O’Hare International Airport. He is the son of the late longtime Rosemont Mayor Donald E. Stephens and the brother of current Mayor Bradley Stephens, who also serves in the Illinois General Assembly.

A spokesman for Bradley Stephens said the mayor was aware of his brother’s arrest and described it as a personal matter. The spokesman said the mayor considered the situation unfortunate and hoped Mark Stephens would receive any help he needs. Mark Stephens could not be reached for comment.

The case has drawn attention because of Mark Stephens’ longstanding positions in Rosemont-area public life. He has chaired the board of Triton College since the early 1990s. The community college serves students from roughly two dozen western and near-western suburbs, including Bellwood, Elmwood Park, Maywood, Oak Park, River Forest and Westchester.

Stephens also has operated Bomark Cleaning Service Corporation, a company that for years received work at village-operated Rosemont venues, including the Donald E. Stephens Convention & Conference Center, Rosemont Theatre and Allstate Arena. Bomark previously handled parking operations at the arena, but the village awarded that work to another company after putting the contract out for bid earlier this year.

Family’s role in Rosemont remains a subject of scrutiny

Donald E. Stephens founded Rosemont in the 1950s and led the village until his death in 2007, when Bradley Stephens became mayor. Over decades, members of the family and their associates have held elected, appointed and business roles connected to Rosemont government and its entertainment operations.

Mark Stephens’ business and public roles have also been part of a recent dispute involving Rosemont and Triton College. The college objected to the village’s expansion of special taxing districts, arguing the change could reduce money available to the school. The disagreement unfolded while Stephens remained Triton’s board chairman.

Election records show Bomark has made hundreds of campaign contributions totaling more than $450,000 since the 1990s. Stephens also maintains a campaign fund and is listed as treasurer of the Rosemont Voters League, a political fund that has supported candidates including Bradley Stephens.

Authorities have not announced any further arrests connected to the Harvard traffic stop. Stephens remains charged, and no court outcome or disposition in the McHenry County case was reported.