MEET STEPHANIE KIFOWIT
Growing up in the suburbs as the child of a single mom, Stephanie was deeply influenced by her grandparents, who immigrated from Poland at a young age and lived through the Great Depression.
Learning the value of fiscal responsibility and hard work from her grandparents, Stephanie started working at 14, babysitting and mowing lawns for neighborhood families.
She graduated from Wheaton Central High School (now Wheaton Warrenville HS), competing in Track and Field all four years.
After graduating high school, Stephanie joined the United States Marines and was stationed at Camp Pendleton California and in Okinawa, Japan.
While on Active Duty she was awarded Marine of the Quarter and give a meritorious rank of E-4 Corporal. She was also awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Nation Defense Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Meritorious Masts (2), Certificate of Commendation, Letter of Appreciation, and Rifle Marksman Badge.
Stephanie was an Administration Clerk responsible for her unit's payroll, record-keeping, and processing. During Desert Storm, her unit was responsible for processing all the orders and required documentation for the reservists who were activated to serve overseas.
After four years of active duty, Stephanie received an Honorable Discharge. She then attended Northern Illinois University where she obtained a B.S. in Political Science/Pre-Law and a Master's in Public Administration.
After graduating from College, Stephanie entered the world of finance -- first in private banking, investments and trusts at the First National Bank of Chicago and then as a registered financial advisor with Morgan Stanley Dean Witter, helping families plan for their future. Due the high cost of childcare, Stephanie was forced to leave full-time employment to care for her children.
Soon after, Stephanie was elected as the Third Ward Alderman for the City of Aurora, a position she held for almost 10 years, reviewing the annual budget, holding individuals accountable and being a strong voice for her ward. She spearheaded investments in the parks, street repairs, and sidewalk installations for children to safely walk to school.
While serving as Alderman, Stephanie also was a substitute teacher for East Aurora School District 131, an active member of the local American Legion, and a Girl Scout Leader. She invested her time and energy being a role model for the youth in her neighborhood.
In 2012, Stephanie launched her first campaign for State Representative -- and won. She has served under three Governors and was part of the Budget Working Group that helped Illinois pass a budget after the 2.5-year budget impasse under Governor Bruce Rauner.
Stephanie has been on budget committees and budget working groups throughout her time in the General Assembly, using her deep knowledge of government finances to advocate for fiscal responsibility, lower taxes, and property tax relief.
Stephanie is instrumental in solving the Tier 2 pension crisis in a fiscally responsible manner for the employees of the state of Illinois, and she boasts over a decade of experience working with Illinois's $118 billion budget.
An independent-minded State Representative, Stephanie voted against this current year's budget, citing opposition to the elimination of the property tax relief program, one-time revenues being used for recurring programs, cuts to higher education, and tax increases that could hurt small businesses.
