Steve Rauschenberger, his wife, Betty, and their two children have been lifetime residents of Elgin. Steve attended District U-46 schools before attending the College of William and Mary where he received his Bachelor's of Business Administration.
Steve and his family ran an area multi-store furniture business before he was elected to the State Senate in 1992. As State Senator, Steve served as Chairman of the Appropriations Committee where he negotiated multi-billion dollar balanced state budgets without raising taxes. In 2004, the Chicago Herald said "He is among the few genuine budget experts in Springfield."
As a champion of taxpayers, Steve advocated for tax caps and increasing the income tax exemption. Steve also served as the Senate negotiator of Kid Care, the state health insurance program for children in low-income, working families. He was also the leader in developing electrical and telecommunications deregulation law and Medicaid policy.
The Independent Voters of Illinois Independent Precinct Organization in 2006 stated, "Throughout his legislative career, Steve Rauschenberger has been the preeminent champion of electoral and ethics reform in Illinois. He has fought valiantly to eliminate special interest money that pollutes the electoral process and his personal integrity is unquestioned. Across party lines, Rauschenberger is renowned as a voice of reason and applauded for his willingness to hear out those he disagrees with and attempt to find common ground. His fiscal restraint is legendary, yet he has used his budget expertise in response to advocacy groups' pleas for help and found funds for much needed social service programs. Rauschenberger is a true independent and has demonstrated the ability to bridge the partisan divide in Springfield."
Steve retired as State Senator for the 22nd District in 2006 after receiving over 75 awards from local service agencies and state and national organizations for his work in the State Senate.
After watching the mismanagement of the State of Illinois from the sidelines for the last four years, Steve decided it was time to take action. The state of Illinois is broken, and Mike Noland and his party's leadership have no solutions. Under their unchecked leadership over the past eight years, Illinois finances have deteriorated, even worse than California. Their lack of solutions have put Illinois on the brink of insolvency, and their only answer now is to raise your taxes.
It is for this reason Steve Rauschenberger has decided to bring his innovation, independent voice, and leadership back to the Illinois State Senate. Therefore, Steve is asking for your vote to end the mismanagement and unbalanced budgets and send him back to the Illinois Senate.
2005 Awards
Automotive Parts & Service Association of Illinois; Appreciation January 12, 2005
2004 Awards
Legislator of the Year Award; IL Health Care Association September 13, 2004
2004 Friend of Agriculture Award; Illinois Farm Bureau Activator
Appreciation Award Bartlett Fire Protection District
Elgin American Little League Award of Appreciation
2003 Awards
Special Recognition Outstanding Leadership; The United States Conference of Mayors,
In the Streamlined Sales Tax Project Implementing States January 22, 2003.
Certificate of Appreciation; Ecker Center for Mental Health, May 9th 2003
Illinois State Crime Commission; Republican Legislator of the Year
Manor Care Health Services of Elgin; Appreciation for Honoring Veterans of Foreign Wars
Certificate of Appreciation; Kiwanis Club of Elgin, Golden K, July 9, 2003
A.C. Schick Award; Bartlett Volunteer Fire Department
2002 Awards
Dental Society Award; Appreciation Award
Illinois Public Health Association; Legislative Award of Appreciation
Arthritis Foundation; Arthritis Advocate Award
Illinois Chamber of Commerce; Champion of Free Enterprise Award
Public Action to Deliver Shelter; Leadership and Service Award
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights; For Leadership in the fight for Immigrant Services
Izaak Walton League of America; Appreciation Award
Illinois Committee for Honest Government; Distinguished Service Award
City Club of Chicago; Appreciation regarding civic contributions
Fox Valley Disability Coalition; Legislative support for children and adults with Disabilities
Action for Illinois Children; Government Award, day care action council
Hamdard Center Outstanding Community Support of the Decade Award
Chicago House; Public Service Award
Certificate of Appreciation: Hoffman Estates Chamber of Commerce and Industry
2001 Awards
Illinois Home Care Council; Legislator of the Year
Illinois Primary Health Care Association; Legislative Recognition Award
Boys & Girls Club; Citizen of the Year
Right to Life of Kane County
Illinois Health Care Association; Legislator of the Year
2000 Awards
Illinois Rural Health Association; Recognition Award
Association of Illinois Soil & Water Conservation Districts; Legislator of the Year
National Retail Federation; Recognition Award
Illinois Association Regional Superintendents of Schools; Recognition Award
Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Human Dignity Award
Chicago Area Project; Legislator of the Year
LUDA, Salutes Leadership on behalf of Public Education and Children
1999 Awards
Illinois Collaboration Youth; Recognition Award
School District U46; Resolution of Appreciation September 1999
Family PAC; Senator of the Year
Markund Friend of the Year
Lutheran Social Service of Elgin; Certificate of Appreciation
Kane County Young Republicans; Senator of the Year
The Illinois Optometric Association; Legislator of the Year
Hope for the Children Award May 1999
Kiwanis Club of Elgin Golden K; Certificate of Appreciation
Cathedral Shelter Chicago; Thanks to Dedication and Service
1998 Awards
Illinois American Institute of Architects; Legislator of the Year
The Chicago Coalition for the Homeless; Leadership Advocacy Award
ADA S. McKinley Community Services; Distinguished Legislator Award
Child Advocate Award for Civic Commitment January 9, 1998
Illinois Prairie Trail Authority; Outstanding Legislator Award
Residents and Visitors of South Elgin & Countryside Fire Protection Districts; Recognition Award
Dedication of the Carpentersville Veterans Memorial Garden
Illinois Hospital and Heath Systems Association; Excellence in Public Service
St. Leonard House, St Andrews Court; Gratitude
1997 Awards
Day Care Action Council of Illinois; Champion of Childcare
Dundee Township Central Committee; Lincoln Award
Illinois Primary Health Care; Legislative Recognition Award
The Aids Foundation of Chicago; Appreciation Award
1996 Awards
Illinois Association of Marriage and Family Therapy; Legislator of the Year
Hamdard Center; Heath and Human Services Award
Illinois Hospital and Health Systems Association; Outstanding Legislator Award
1995 Awards
Cardunal; Paint-A-Thon Award
Illinois Health Care Association; Legislator of the Year
1994 Awards
Larsen Care Students; Award of Appreciation
Department of the Army; Commended for Legislative work,
September24, 1994
1993 Award
Illinois National Guard, During the Mississippi Flood Duty; Recognition of Support
Appreciation from Elgin American Little League for Senator Steve Rauschenberger
1992 Award
Appreciation from Elgin American Little League for Ackerman's
Other Awards
Illinois Agricultural Association Activator Friend of Agriculture Award
The Business Connector Magazine; "People you should know," award
Jane Addams Hull House Association; Advocate Award
Rails to Trails Conservatory; Leader in development for IL Trails, Grand IL Trail
