Brother of Rosemont mayor, the chairman of Triton College, arrested on felony drug charge

The chairman of a suburban community college, who is also the brother of Rosemont’s mayor, was arrested on a felony drug charge last month, authorities said.

Mark Stephens was charged with felony possession of cocaine on July 31, court records show. He did not respond to a request for comment.

Stephens is the son of the late Donald E. Stephens, former Rosemont mayor, and the brother of the current mayor, Bradley Stephens.

Since 1992, Mark Stephens has served as chairman of the board of trustees for Triton College, a community college in River Grove. He was presented with a service award during a board meeting in June.

Representatives of Triton College did not respond to a request for comment.

Harvard police officers stopped Mark Stephens for speeding, according to a news release. As he got out of the car, police said they observed him drop an unlabeled prescription bottle to the ground. A field test confirmed it contained cocaine, according to the news release.

Officers initially smelled the odor of unburnt cannabis during the stop, according to police, and Mark Stephens handed them an open container of weed.

He was charged with unlawful possession of cannabis by a driver, speeding and unlawful possession of a controlled substance, authorities said.

“The mayor wishes Mark well, hopes he gets what he needs,” Rosemont spokesperson Gary Mack said. “It’s an unfortunate situation.”

Mark Stephens’ next hearing is in September, court records show.

fbelleau@chicagotribune.com