You can add a :before to a container which contains the background (See this for more information).
.stepNode:before {
    content: "";
    position: absolute;
    width: 200%;
    height: 200%;
    top: -50%;
    left: -50%;
    z-index: -1;
    background: url(some-background-url-here) 40% 50% no-repeat; 
Then you make a css class that contains the rotate properties.
.transform:before {
    -webkit-transform: rotate(-30deg);
    -moz-transform: rotate(-30deg);
    -ms-transform: rotate(-30deg);
    -o-transform: rotate(-30deg);
    transform: rotate(-30deg);
}
And via jquery, you can add the class:
$(".stepNode").addClass("transform");
Also, you can set a transition time, to add animation (put this in .stepNode:before)
-webkit-transition: all 1s;
-moz-transition: all 1s;
-ms-transition: all 1s
-o-transition: all 1s;
transition: all 1s;
Here is a working jsfiddle.
Edit: 90 degrees version: jsfiddle