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* Congrats to our newest Golden Horseshoe winners…
1) Best press spokesperson: Patty Schuh. The spokesperson for the Senate Republicans has been getting the job done for years. From the nominations…
She has handled the job under Pate (no easy task), Watson and now continues to be available and personable.
2) Best non-press staffer for a constitutional officer: Ann Spillane, who is Attorney General Lisa Madigan’s chief of staff…
[Madigan’s] office runs like a well-oiled machine, and that’s all thanks to Spillane.
I’ve talked to Spillane countless times on the phone late at night and was often surprised to hear that she was still at her office. Ann is indefatigable, highly organized and 200 percent loyal to her boss.
3) Many of you tried to nominate me for “Best ‘insider,’” but that’s not gonna happen. Instead, I’m giving it to Mike McClain, who, as one commenter noted “knows the state from all sides.” The lobbyist and former House Majority Leader is one of the few people who Speaker Madigan truly listens to on almost all issues. That’s no small feat.
* So, let’s sum it all up…
* Best legislative staffer: Melissa Black
* Best state legislative secretary/admin assistant: Beth Hamilton
* Best political bar/restaurant in Springfield: The Globe
* Best IL state agency director: Catherine Shannon
* Best Illinois state legislator: Sen. Don Harmon
* Best Illinois congresscritter: Rep. Phil Hare
* Best IL statewide elected official: Jesse White
* Best Statehouse lobbyist: Bill Luking
* Best press spokesperson: Patty Schuh
* Best non-press staffer for a constitutional officer: Ann Spillane
* Best “insider”: Mike McClain
Congratulations to all.
The “Best insider” award was new this year. I’m wondering if you have any additional category suggestions for next year.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 11:51 am
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What about best contributor to the blog? I just love reading Will County Woman’s contributions. Wordslinger is pretty entertaining as well. While I am at it, how about a dinner to hand out the awards? The golden horseshoe is clearly the most coveted and prestigious prize a person can aspire to recieve.
Comment by Richard Afflis Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 11:58 am
Political staffer
Comment by Bill S. Preston, Esq. Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 12:02 pm
Best Enterprise Reporting? For example, The Reader has done a great job this year turning over the rock of TIF abuse in the city.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 12:02 pm
Capt Fax
You forgot to announce the date,time and place of your annual, lavish awards banquet to honor the winners and present their awards
Good choices as usual
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 12:06 pm
They got it right this time. I hope Daley is apprised of Bill’s efforts and selection. On the other hand, maybe not, Rich might feel anyone that popular should be suspect.
Comment by The Fox Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 12:09 pm
Best IL print or broadcast journalist / commentator on Illinois politics, not named Rich Miller?
Comment by ZC Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 12:14 pm
The best elected and lobbyists are men, the best best non-electeds are women. Not looking into this too much, but it’s interesting
Comment by P. Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 12:40 pm
I would divide up the best lobbyist into multiple categories. How about best contract lobbyist, best corporate lobbyist, and best non-profit lobbyist?
Comment by Don't Worry, Be Happy Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 12:44 pm
===The best elected and lobbyists are men===
Lisa Madigan won best statewide last year. A female legislator also won. I think it was Hamos. Don’t read too much into it.
Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 12:45 pm
How about best political quote/soundbite? I heard a story recently about the best quotes of 2009, and it included such notables as, “You lie!”, “The Cambridge Police acted stupidly,” and “The Governor is hiking the Appalachian Trail”.
With the colorful characters we have in Illinois, this could be a dandy.
Comment by Old Shepherd Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 1:00 pm
Best Statehouse news reporter, whether print, radio or TV; or best investigative journalist.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 1:17 pm
Can the awards banquet possibly be combined with a blogger bash?
How about a category honoring “best/most effective legislation” of the year and its sponsors, provided they haven’t already won in the “best legislator” category?
Comment by Secret Square Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 1:23 pm
How about best chair of a comm, best labor/business lobbyist, best association lobbyist, best golfer, best dressed.
Comment by Obamas' Puppy Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 1:57 pm
Suggestions for next year or following the election:
• political/field director.
• broadcast commercial.
• radio ad.
• social media campaign.
Comment by Pre Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 2:37 pm
I’m going to assume Rich wants to keep it positive, so I’ll omit some snarky choices and offer the following:
Best crony
Best legislation that wasn’t enacted
Best pol to have a beer with
Funniest pol
Hardest working pol
Best online news source not named CapitolFax
Political Courage Award
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 2:46 pm
Best use of state funds in the past year
Comment by Captain Flume Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 3:23 pm
Spillane is great. Excellent choice.
Comment by TomD Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 3:43 pm
Wonder why the reporters are shilling for awards for themselves from the Capt Fax
How about most stories cribbed from Capt Fax by a “news organization”
P.s. how about that awards banquet info….you could probably have a the Globe (tee hee)
Comment by CircularFiringSquad Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 4:25 pm
mike,s has had his ups and downs, But he,s been good to me and alot of other people from Qcy Great job Mike Thanks again
Comment by quincy Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 4:54 pm
-Most Quoteable Pol
Comment by Rethickulass Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 5:36 pm
best freshman legislator…or most promising freshman
Comment by Anon Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 6:04 pm
I second the idea of the best quote or soundbite.
Comment by Moving to Oklahoma Thursday, Dec 17, 09 @ 11:31 pm