27 Comments - Waffle Fries - Monday, Dec 11, 17 @ 1:02 pm: I nominate Luis Andrade for best House staffer. Louis has been lead staff on Medicaid and social service and budget issues through the impasse. In addition, he was critical in working with groups to keep members informed about the impact of the impasse and worked with the organizations to secure budget priorities. This is one of the hardest jobs on staff, dealing with unpaid social safety net providers, yet he does it with the grace and attentiveness to detail necessary to do the job. - Conn Smythe - Monday, Dec 11, 17 @ 1:09 pm: Best Senate staffer - Ashley Jenkins for quarterbacking some tough crim legislation once again this session. Best House Staffer: Jessica Basham. She was the behind the scenes force for a large portion of the House Dem budget effort that eventually broke through the noise and brought home the Harris 12. - charles in charge - Monday, Dec 11, 17 @ 1:45 pm: Agree with Conn Smythe re: Ashley Jenkins. She’s sharp, hard-working and has the perfect temperament for the job. Top crim law staffer in Springfield. On the House side, I will nominate James Sherwood from the House GOP legal staff. He recently left to become a lobbyist, but deserves recognition for being Leader Durkin’s go-to guy on just about every important issue. A great guy who treats everyone with respect. - SaulGoodman - Monday, Dec 11, 17 @ 1:57 pm: Senate: Ashley Jenkins — she’s great. She’s smart, doesn’t take any crap, and gets stuff done. From criminal justice to minimum wage, she’s played a huge role behind the scenes on issues that don’t move forward without her. House: Luis Andrade - every year some of the biggest issues facing the GA are related to Medicaid and human services funding. This year (and the coming year) isn’t an exception, and Andrade has become a true leader on these issues, and is one of THE experts in the building. - Miss Marie - Monday, Dec 11, 17 @ 2:07 pm: House: Mark Jarmer: He knows what he’s doing and he does it well. He’s a good guy to work with. Senate: Aaron Holmes: He seemed to staff all the major bills this session, and he seemed to be everywhere. I swear he does the work of 3 people. He’s a bright guy with a bright future. - Anonymous - Monday, Dec 11, 17 @ 2:15 pm: Senate- Eliot Clay. The re-write of the electronics recycling law didn’t garner a lot of headlines but it took over three years and hundreds of hours of negotiations to get over the finish line. Eliot coordinated a diverse group of stakeholders including county government, environmentalists, IEPA and business groups who couldn’t seem to agree on anything. There were negotiations with 30 stakeholders at the table and Eliot kept his cool. At times it seemed like every word in a 40 page bill was up for debate and Eliot kept his cool. When the chief house sponsor moved out of state and ghosted the negotiations Eliot kept his cool. When environmental groups tried to derail the agreement multiple times at the last minute Eliot kept his cool. When the bill finally passed and it was decided that a trailer bill needed to be negotiated and moved during special session Eliot kept his cool. The guy is unshakable and exactly who you want at the table coordinating difficult negotiations. House- Dane Thull. Lots of people can take credit for the passage of the education funding bill but the legislation would have stumbled in the House if it wasn’t for the staffer who worked countless hours to work with skeptical GOP caucus members on the issue. Dane’s attention to detail and reputation for outstanding work helped to ease concerns among many and ultimately kept the issue from hitting a wall. - Bruce I'm-not-in-charge Rauner - Monday, Dec 11, 17 @ 2:26 pm: Senate: Mandy Drendel. She has worked a lot of late nights on pension bills and that landline bill. She’s thorough and does her homework. If she’s assigned an issue, she becomes an expert on that issue. House: Tyler Hunt. He’s a great guy to work. I always appreciate his expertise on a bill. The House will be at a great loss if he ever leaves. - BigRig91 - Monday, Dec 11, 17 @ 2:30 pm: House Staffer: James O’Brien. James was the lead staffer for Senate Bill 1 and the hard work and dedication he showed over those long summer months left myself and others highly impressed. Between the countless rewrites of the bill and the numerous meetings that lasted well into the night, he was always upbeat and passionate about education funding reform and how it was going to improve the lives of children across Illinois. He was definitely this year’s House MVP. - Prime Cut - Monday, Dec 11, 17 @ 2:34 pm: Senate - Giovanni Randazzo and Jo Johnson. You have to go with the legal eagles in the Senate. Not only is Giovanni a walking blue book, but he also has time to take meetings and roll up his sleeves to help members fix/tweak their bills so the pass. Their knowledge of the process, history, and statutes is unparalleled. House - definitely have to go with James Sherwood from House Republican staff. He left to become a lobbyist two weeks ago, but he definitely earned the nomination. He had most of the large, complicated bills and always knew what he was talking about. James spent the time to work with all lobbyist, legislators, and governor staff to ensure we have good quality legislation that works. - Old Staffer - Monday, Dec 11, 17 @ 2:35 pm: In a hyper partisan atmosphere I nominate two up-in-coming leaders on two caucus staff’s for their willingness to work across party lines. I nominate Senate Republican’s Jenna Mitchell for her work on education funding, both Higher Ed and K-12 for the last few years. Jenna’s composure and commitment shined as she was negotiating with the Senior staff and members on what the State of Illinois will use as the new formula for funding in school districts around the State. I nominate Joe Miller from the House Democrats for his focus on Pensions this last few years. His work is stellar and respected by those who worked on protecting pension sustainability for all stakeholders. Both Jenna and Joe represent the very best of staff as we look into the future. - Here Comes Treble - Monday, Dec 11, 17 @ 2:46 pm: Best Senate Staffer: Jenna Mitchell–during the education negotiations, having a staffer who could provide institutional knowledge and timely analysis is key to keeping the members informed. Jenna works incredibly hard and knows more about K12 than anyone. - GoodGuy4TheKids - Monday, Dec 11, 17 @ 2:50 pm: I could not agree more with the nomination of James O’Brien from the House Staff. He worked really hard on every iteration of the school funding bills even in situations where he was given a raw deal by his members. He did it with a smile on his face and got to know every superintendent, school business official, special education administrator and regular person that came to the State House to give testimony or get involved with the change in the formula. Always able to answer questions and give an answer, he stepped carefully knowing that any misstep could result in the bill being sunk. The education bill, outside of the budget, was the big thing to come down the pike this year. James O’Brien was helping to steer the ship and deserves the accolades. - Mocking Jay - Monday, Dec 11, 17 @ 2:51 pm: I nominate James O’brien and Mike Hoffman for accomplishing the seemingly impossible with school funding reform. Many have tried and many have failed. James became an expert in the field of school finance while Mike, already an expert, managed the demands of his caucus without fanfare. Both deserve the recognition. - Giancarlo Stratton - Monday, Dec 11, 17 @ 3:03 pm: I nominate Joe Miller from the House Democratic staff. Joe began as a House Committee Clerk years ago, then went to work in Room 300, and is now the lead staffer on Pensions and Labor. He has worked extremely hard to get where he is and gives 100% to any task, large or small, which is something that was instilled in him during his rise through the ranks. I also nominate Elizabeth Nelson from the Senate Democrats. She is the lead staffer on Medicaid and everything to do with dogs, which are two very sensitive subjects. She is honest with everyone, even if it’s not great news, and is a model of humility. - Just votin’ - Monday, Dec 11, 17 @ 3:11 pm: House Luis Andrade-Great to work with, tough issues and he’s put in his time with social services so they don’t get lost in the shuffle on the medical side. Senate Elizabeth Nelson-She also covers Medicaid and social services as well and does a great job of hearing out all the different sides of the issues without a bias. It’s no small task with all those groups pushing you this way and that. - Wrigleyville Willy - Monday, Dec 11, 17 @ 3:18 pm: Best Senate Staffer - Jenna Mitchell. She’s smart, hard working, and one of the most well respected staffers in Springfield. Her involvement in the education funding battle was invaluable. Plus, she’s tough as nails. Best House Staffer - Ramiro Hernandez. Another extremely hard working and respected staffer. He’s an overall good guy with a bright future. - Bigger Half - Monday, Dec 11, 17 @ 4:15 pm: Senate- Jenna Mitchell She is the most hardworking and she knows her stuff. She knows everything there is about education and she is an invaluable asset to the caucus. House - James O’brien James busted his tail working on the education funding bill and deserves the horseshoe. - anon - Monday, Dec 11, 17 @ 4:32 pm: I nominate - Mike Hoffman and Dane Thull (and other education staffers) They all worked long hours, weekends and put their personal lives on hold - in order to find a bipartisan compromise that will ensure children across Illinois have a fair and equitable education system for generations to come. How can anyone else top that? I think this is the year that we honor the work they have all accomplished together because without all four caucuses on board - we would all be sitting around in session attire right now. - Gin and Politics - Monday, Dec 11, 17 @ 4:54 pm: Senate–Ashley Jenkins. She’s a hard worker and knows her criminal justice policy House–James O’Brien. I can’t imagine the hours he put in on the edu bill. - NorthsideNoMore - Monday, Dec 11, 17 @ 5:11 pm: Rep Phelps (former) assistant Beth …with all the coming and going in there on she still has a grip on who is who etc. - Anonymous - Monday, Dec 11, 17 @ 5:33 pm: Best State Senate Staffer - Non Political: Ashley Jenkins, hands down. She is extremely intelligent and managed some pretty big bills this session, including the Civil Asset Forfeiture bill. She’s principled and knows how to get things done * Best State House Staffer - Non Political: Marishonta Wilkerson. It was her first session dealing with the beast of a committee known as Jud. Crim, where 100’s upon 100’s of bills are filed! She knew the bills and the issues, and was a joy to work with. - Anon - Monday, Dec 11, 17 @ 5:34 pm: Best State Senate Staffer - Non Political: Ashley Jenkins, hands down. She is extremely intelligent and managed some pretty big bills this session, including the Civil Asset Forfeiture bill. She’s principled and knows how to get things done * Best State House Staffer - Non Political: Marishonta Wilkerson. It was her first session dealing with the beast of a committee known as Jud. Crim, where 100’s upon 100’s of bills are filed! She knew the bills and the issues, and was a joy to work with. - Mayor Quimby - Monday, Dec 11, 17 @ 5:53 pm: Senate Staffer - Elizabeth Nelson. She is very competent and extremely helpful. She has become a truly valuable part of the Senate President’s staff. House Staffer - Dane Thull. The young man is an expert on education for Durkin. During the numerous meetings and negotiations surrounding SB 1/1947, he did his due diligence and really shined. Not to take away from the other staffers that worked on school funding reform, but the guy was key to making a deal happen. - Modem Line - Monday, Dec 11, 17 @ 7:10 pm: Senate Staffer - Jenna Mitchell, who was able to actually explain the calculations while funding reform was discussed. She has worked hard to become an expert in this field and it shows. Honorable mention - Mike Hoffman for many of the same reasons and his unflappable demeanor. Could even be a tie but I think Mike, deservedly, got the nod last year. So share the love. House Staffer - Dane Thull. Also hard working and most admirably, demonstrated his expertise on funding reform quietly and calmly. This guy was like a shadow - quiet but omnipresent at the funding reform meetings and decision points. About the policy not the accolades, even though he deserves them. - Brown Bear - Monday, Dec 11, 17 @ 10:47 pm: Mike Hoffman - Mike knows his stuff forwards and backwards, is quick with his numbers, and put in endlesssssss hours on various forms of the education reform bills these last two sessions all while keeping the education committee rolling. Mike’s smart, quick with the joke, and balances all his interest group and member expectations effortlessly. He’s frank without being callous and is easy to work with. This guy has become an excellent asset to the caucus and deserves the recognition. Luis Andrade - Louis is a pro. He’s got his finger on every human services issue under the dome and makes sure his members are in the know. He takes the time to really learn the issues and makes sure things are done right. He’s a stand up guy and is great to work with. - Andercursed - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 8:16 am: Senate: Mandy Drendel has a great work ethic and attitude along with being detail oriented. She handles many complicated subject matters with grace. Joe Miller: There have been many great nominations, but I will nominate Joe. Joe has a great work ethic and his loyalty to public service is inspiring. - Anon - Tuesday, Dec 12, 17 @ 11:15 am: Senate Staffer: Mike Hoffman is excellent to work with and is extremely knowledgeable in understanding the education funding reform. He is able to articulate with ease & is an asset to the Senate Dems. House Staffer: James O’Brien was crucial in the education funding reform. He dedicated minutes, hours, days, and weeks(ends) to see the success of the education bill. He was integral in the countless rewrites and negotiations of the bill & can flawlessly articulate the new funding reform, which few can do. This was his year. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.