ABOUT ME

My name is Lilija Stevens, pronounced Lili-ya. Please call me Lili, the shortened version of my full name.

 

I was born in Sydney, Australia to Latvian-born parents who were refugees due to the Soviet Occupation of Latvia during WW2. My uncle was a lucky immigrant to the United States. The summer of my 9th birthday he sponsored our move from Australia to Chicago, IL. In 1970, the year before I graduated from Steinmetz High School, I became a naturalized citizen.

 

Following high school, I attended Eastern Illinois University where I met Roger Stevens. After he graduated, we decided to get married and moved to Sandwich, IL. I transferred to Northern Illinois University where I earned my Bachelor of Science in Education degree.

 

My husband’s job search brought our family to Washington. In 1991, Roger accepted the Superintendency of District 50. Our two sons are graduates of D52 schools and WCHS. The warm welcome of the community made it an easy decision that Washington would become our forever home.

 

While teaching at East Peoria Community High School I began working on my Master’s degree. In 2004, I graduated from St. Xavier University with an MA in Educational Leadership. I consider myself a life-long learner and didn’t want to stop there, so I earned my General Administrative Certificate from Aurora University in 2009. After over 20 years at EPCHS, I retired in 2014.

​

I am passionate about my adopted hometown and became very active in the local community.  I have been an Alderperson since 2019.