Charged lawmaker may lose pharmacy license

SPRINGFIELD -- An assistant minority leader in the Illinois House could lose his pharmacy license after being charged with driving under the influence.

Rep. Ron Stephens was arrested by the Macon County sheriff's department in Decatur in March.

Authorities say the Greenville Republican's blood-alcohol content was 0.101. The legal limit is 0.08.

State regulators have notified Stephens that his arrest, coupled with a prior disciplinary action, are grounds not to renew his pharmacy license when it expires next year.

Stephens was put on probation in 2001 for "habitually using controlled substances."

The 62-year-old lawmaker has requested a hearing in the matter, but no date has been set.

His next court appearance in the DUI case is scheduled for May 13.