Stephanie Kifowit

Bio

Stephanie Kifowit is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, former registered financial advisor, and Illinois State Representative for District 84 (Oswego/Aurora area), currently running for Illinois Comptroller in the March 17, 2026 Democratic primary. Kifowit grew up the daughter of a single mother in a blended working-class family in the western suburbs. She joined the Marine Corps at age 17, right out of high school, and served from 1990 to 1994, including an overseas deployment. After her service, she worked multiple jobs while earning both a B.S. in Political Science and an M.P.A. (Master of Public Administration) from Northern Illinois University, DeKalb. She then applied her expertise as a registered financial advisor, helping families plan for retirement and investments. She served as an Alderman for the City of Aurora for approximately ten years before winning election to the Illinois House of Representatives in 2012 (District 84 — Oswego/Aurora). She has served continuously since January 9, 2013 and her current term runs through January 13, 2027. In Springfield, she has consistently served on budget and appropriations committees, including through the 2½-year state budget impasse under Gov. Rauner. Her 2025–2026 committee assignments include chair of Appropriations-Pensions and Personnel, the Personnel & Pensions Committee, Veterans' Affairs Committee, and the Appropriations-General Service Committee. She is the 2024 and 2025 'Legislator of the Year' recipient from the Illinois Association of County Veterans Assistance Commissions. She is running for Comptroller citing her unique combination of financial advisory credentials, 20+ years of state budget experience, and familiarity with the Comptroller's office staff and the $53M modernization act already underway.

Prior office: Illinois State Representative, District 84 (2013–present); Alderman, City of Aurora (approx. 2003–2012)

Key Votes

• Participated as Vice ChairIllinois FY2023 Budget — Appropriations-General Service Committee

  Kifowit served as Vice Chair of the Appropriations-General Service Committee during budget deliberations. Specific vote details require ILGA roll call review, but her ongoing assignment to this committee spanning multiple administrations is her signature legislative role.

• Champion / committee chairVeterans' Services Legislation — Multiple sessions

  Kifowit chaired the Veterans' Affairs Committee for multiple consecutive terms (2017–2026). She was named 'Legislator of the Year' by the Illinois Association of County Veterans Assistance Commissions in both 2024 and 2025 for her advocacy for veterans services and military sexual trauma victims.

• Led/championedGovernment Transparency Committee — Chair (2017)

  Chaired the IL House Government Transparency Committee in 2017, consistent with her stated emphasis on fiscal accountability and transparent government operations.

• Aware / familiarIL Comptroller Modernization Act ($53M)

  Kifowit highlights her familiarity with the $53M Comptroller modernization act as evidence of her readiness. Her years on appropriations committees mean she has reviewed the Comptroller's budget almost every year as a legislator, giving her institutional knowledge of the office.