Meet Curt:

As a resident of Stephenson County who has had the opportunity to talk to a variety of people from all over Stephenson County, I have learned that most of us have the same basic concerns when it comes to the administration of our local government; fiscal responsibility, public safety, and economic development.  Through its primary duties as both the legislative and executive branch of county government, the Stephenson County Board has a significant role in each of these general areas of concern.  Therefore, I believe that it is extraordinarily important for the voters in District E to have a clear understanding of my qualifications and experience which I believe make me the best candidate.

I was raised in Monroe Wisconsin and graduated from Monroe High School in 1986.  I continued my education by attending the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, where I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in 1990.  After college, I was blessed with the opportunity of a lifetime and joined the Freeport Police Department as a Patrolman in 1991.  During my ensuing 26+ year career at the FPD, I served as a Field Training Officer, Neighborhood Watch Coordinator, Union President (PBLC), Honor Guard Member and spent several years working as an investigator assigned to the State Line Area Narcotics Team (S.L.A.N.T.), an Illinois State Police multijurisdictional drug task force.  During my years of service in S.L.A.N.T., I was the case agent for numerous successful narcotics investigations, not only in the City of Freeport, but throughout northwest Illinois and southwest Wisconsin.  

I retired from the FPD in 2017 and worked for approximately five years as a student transportation driver and as an armed guard for P4 Security.  In 2021, I accepted an appointment to a vacancy on the Stephenson County Board, and eventually became Chairman of the Public Property & Safety Committee and a member of the Finance Committee.  In 2022, I was honored to be elected to a 2-year term on the Stephenson County Board and continue to serve as the Chairman of the Public Property & Safety Committee and a member of the Finance Committee.

Since I have been a member of the Stephenson County Board, I have worked hard to provide effective representation and have consistently delivered positive results.  Some of my major accomplishments as a board member include securing a $500,000 grant for street improvements in the City of Freeport and working with the Sheriff to implement a specialized crime suppression unit tasked with focusing on investigations involving narcotics, human trafficking, and illegal firearms possession.

On the personal side, in 1998, I married my wife Chris and in 2008 we traveled to China and adopted our daughter Madison, who is now 16 years old and a student at Freeport High School.  My family and I are active members of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Freeport.  In addition to my service on the Stephenson County Board, I also serve as a volunteer member of the Stephenson County Liquor Control Commission, serve on the Freeport Police Pension Board, and have been an attendee at Freeport Neighborhood Watch meetings.

I am proud to call Stephenson County my home and am passionate about continuing to serve my community to the best of my ability.  My pledge to you is that if I am re-elected to the county board, I will continue to lead with integrity, professionalism, and transparency.  The challenges facing us are many, but I believe my experience and proven ability to deliver positive results for our community make me the best candidate for Stephenson County Board Member, District E. 

Thank you to all my family, friends, and neighbors who have supported me so far; and I look forward to meeting with you on the campaign trail.  I would be honored to receive your vote on Tuesday November 5, 2024.

Curt Coplien, Republican Candidate for Stephenson County Board District E