* From Vicki Crawford’s Facebook page…
Today, I am starting a new chapter in my life. I am leaving my job as the House Republican Spokesperson to take a position in communications with the Illinois Commerce Commission.
For 23 years I have been blessed to get to know and work alongside so many talented lawmakers, staff, journalists and lobbyist. I am most thankful for the lasting friendships that I have made along the way.
Life under the dome is not easy. The schedule is grueling and the level of stress generally remains high, but I always felt at home. I considered all who passed through the copper doors regularly a part of my extended family.
I am proud of the work I have done and will look back with no regrets. As a senior staff member, I worked for 3 House Republican Leaders and 8 Chiefs of Staff. I had a front row seat into the impeachment of Rod Blagojevich and the Ryan, Blagojevich and Quinn administrations. I saw a good friend (Mike Bost) have a tirade on the House floor that went viral and fielded media calls from all over the nation for weeks - he is now a U.S. Congressman. Following years of media stories regarding the abuses of the legislative scholarship program, as the Director of Communications, I helped convince many Republican legislators to quit handing out the scholarships – the program was eventually abolished. And as a volunteer, I was there to celebrate with many candidates after winning an election, and I have been there to cry with others when they lost. So many memories….so many stories to tell. To quote my good friend former State Rep. William Black of Danville, “You couldn’t make this stuff up.”
Earlier this year, I saw the last of the original lawmakers who were in the House when I started back in July of 1994 leave the House chamber….and I have seen hundreds of staff members and reporters come and go.
Now it is my turn.
I am particularly grateful to Leader Jim Durkin for the opportunities he has given me over these past four years. He is a true statesman and a man of great integrity. I am proud to call him my friend. He has a tough job. I wish him nothing but the best in the months and years ahead.
For me…I am looking forward to taking a little time off and a long-planned vacation with my family before starting my new adventure.I am looking most forward to getting through a meal with my family without having to take a phone call or answer an email.
Please wish me luck and I hope you will invite me to join you for a drink sometime.
* From a memo Leader Durkin sent to his members today…
Dear House Republican Member:
Today I am announcing that Vicki Crawford will be moving on to take a communications position at the Illinois Commerce Commission. I cannot thank Vicki enough for her service to me as my spokesperson since becoming Republican Leader nearly 4 years ago and for the more than 20 years of hard work and dedication that she has provided to the House Republican Caucus. It will be extremely difficult to replace her talents, experience, and institutional knowledge but we wish her the best moving forward.
I hope to identify and announce a new spokesperson in the coming weeks.
Sincerely,
Jim Durkin
She’s not just a straight shooter and a professional in every regard. She’s also a kind and decent human being and it has been a pleasure working with her over the decades.
Let’s give her a great sendoff.
- And...... - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 3:53 pm:
She rocks!!
- Boone's is Back - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 3:54 pm:
Thanks for your service to the state Vicki and best of luck on your future endeavors.
- Tommydanger - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 4:00 pm:
You can be respected in your job or be effective at your job or even well-liked at your job. To be respected, effective and well liked is the trifecta for a public servant.
All of us should aspire to leave our workplace someday and be described on our way out the way Vicki is being lauded today.
Thank you Vicki for your service and my best wishes for what is to come.
- charles in charge - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 4:03 pm:
Sad to see Springfield lose another of the really good ones. Best of luck, Vicki!
- not again - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 4:14 pm:
Vicki is a class act and one hell of a public servant. I wish her nothing but the best of luck and hope she gets that interruption-free dinner soon.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 4:32 pm:
I have this real feeling of loss right now that I can’t fully describe.
She’s such a gentle soul. Totally non-confrontational. If she disagreed with you it was always with a certain kindness that’s difficult to explain.
I’m very happy for her new job. But I hate that this place can sometimes grind up good and decent people.
As a friend of mine just texted me, “When the sane, moderate, smart and pragmatic start a parade out, we are in trouble. Vicki exemplifies all four characteristics.”
First Rikeesha, now Vicki. I sure hope Patty sticks around.
- Jak Tichenor - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 4:43 pm:
Vicki is simply one of the best staff people I’ve ever worked with in Springfield. I knew she had something special when she was a student reporter at her alma mater’s WSIU Radio and I have been so pleased and proud of the way her career has developed since then. I’ve always admired and respected her for the way she handled her duties with impeccable professionalism, flawless tact, and one Hell of a good sense of humor! We are going to miss her (and her cache of granola bars that sustained many of us through those long session days) and wish her nothing but the best in her new assignment!
- Justin Observer - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 4:44 pm:
Vickie Crawford, thank you for your service to the state, and thanks for your dedication, and professionalism.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 4:45 pm:
When you go back 8 Chiefs of Staff and Tristano is in that mix, that’s a heck of a career.
We all find ourselves in a new world of “messaging”, this alleged new idea of Comms where the message is deemed most important at times and those delivering those Comms are deemed less important.
Vicki Crawford has been a steady hand at the rudder for Illinois House Comms.
Her legacy within that Caucus will be the trust members from all over the state, for nearly a quarter of a century, had in her, seeking her counsel and trusting in her as the voice and quote they wanted. The institutional knowledge she has had in writing and understanding what needed to be said so others away from the Dome won’t be easily filled.
Crawford has been the consummate professional while nurturing personal relationships made her experience and skill seem all too easy while putting in hour after hour on the endless session and campaign days that make up a spokesperson’s career.
I wish her the best in her new position and she should know how grateful the HGOP is to her and what she’s meant to so many staff, Crew, and members that looked to her time and time again.
Congratulations, all the best,
OW
- Todd - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 5:04 pm:
Go enjoy life Vicki, you’ve earned it
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 5:04 pm:
Congrats Vicki, enjoy the grass, it’s much greener.
Can’t wait to see who Durkin fills that spot with.
- A guy - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 5:07 pm:
There are a very rare few people who ask you “how can I help you?” that mean it to the point of not allowing or accepting the help is almost impolite. Vicky’s willingness and desire to help out anywhere and everywhere is something everyone in public service should aspire to.
There’s no appropriate adjective to describe the width and depth of her kindness, which as a trait, overwhelmed the fact that she was as sharp and perceptive as they get. How cool that the former mattered to her more than the latter. And she put it in practice every day. For a long, long time.
- A guy - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 5:10 pm:
Sorry Vicki, spelling your name incorrectly is just part of my charm…according to you.
- Steve Brown - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 5:14 pm:
Good luck with the new gig. We are counting on uou to keep the light on. Hopin’ Capt.Fax wants me around too:)
- Amalia - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 5:48 pm:
thank you Vicki, for staying with it for so long, for being decent, and honorable. you will be missed. hoping that you see some younger people around whom you can mentor in your spirit. good luck.
- Rikeesha - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 7:04 pm:
Vicky, you served well girl. Well done.
- Sour Kraut - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 7:24 pm:
Rich, somebody can only beat his / here head against a wall before it starts to hurt.
- Anonymous - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 7:27 pm:
Meant to add “so long” between wall and before. Good luck Vicki.
- honestabe - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 9:10 pm:
Can you post a picture of her. I know I have yo know her but,I guess old age is kicking in and I can’t put a face to the name.
I do wish her nothing but the best because anyone that has work at the capitol that long has to be a dedicated and hard working person. I had worked at the capitol for over 20 years so, I know first
hand what these people go through
- Anonymous - Monday, Jul 24, 17 @ 10:56 pm:
She truly is one of the kindest, most genuine people I’ve met in the last two decades. Always greeted me with a smile and a hug. Enjoy your trip to Toronto and Niagra Falls with your family. You’ve earned it!
- Perrid - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 8:15 am:
Honestabe, Google is your friend
Her Linkedin profile:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-crawford-49a8187
- Randy Wells - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 8:21 am:
Best of luck to Vicki, a true pro to work with.
- Commonsense in Illinois - Tuesday, Jul 25, 17 @ 8:24 am:
Vicki has been a consummate professional, and I’m sure she’ll continue that in one of the most technical posts in state government as she explains utility law.
Frankly, I hope college and university journalism and Public Administration programs invite Vicki to help guide the next generation of public information advocates.