Steve Rouse is General Counsel for the Chicago Community Loan Fund (CCLF). He is responsible for legal matters that impact CCLF.
Before February of 2025, Steve was in private practice for 39 years as a equity partner with the Molzahn, Reed & Rouse LLC law firm.
Steve has extensive experience in commercial transactions, corporate matters, and litigation, including litigation involving breach of commercial leases, condemnation, and mechanics lien cases concerning representing a multi-state property development/management company and a national grocery chain. He has Represented a multi-national startup company in the aviation industry, including negotiation and drafting of multi-jurisdictional partnership and ownership agreements. Steve has worked with a large multi-national commercial lender regarding commercial loans. Steve has Represented clients in the merger/buyouts of banks. Steve has represented numerous clients in the purchase and sale of business and professional practices. Steve has also represented various financial institutions in mechanics lien, foreclosure, condemnation, and commercial collection matters.
Steve received the Chicago Volunteer Legal Services Foundation Distinguished Service Award Winner for 2005; He was a Member and Chairman of the Village of Oak Park Zoning Board of Appeals 1999-2009 and a Member of the Village of Oak Park Plan Commission 2009- 2015. He was on the Village of Forest Park Committee to determine the land use of the Altenhiem property in 2023.
Steve graduated from Bradley University with a Political Science degree. He then attended UIC Chicago Law School.
In his free time, Steve enjoys working on the rental properties he owns with his wife, as well as keeping up with his three grandchildren.