16 Comments » - Who else - Tuesday, Dec 17, 24 @ 12:21 pm: Do-Gooder is Niya Kelly. She is is unflinchingly respectful of the people she serves, her peers and legislators even when she is not offered the same grace in return. She has the stories of horrifying impact policy and budget decisions have on real people, but she also has the policy and budget chops to come to the table with real solutions that move the needle in the right direction for her people. Her long tenure in Springfield also puts in her a position to understand the inner-workings of agencies so she’s able to make policy change from the inside when legislation isn’t a viable path. Wendy Butler is retiring this year and she gets my vote for best liaison. Wendy has served through changes in administrations and avoids being dragged into political fights. She advocates for her agency’s position — a task that is not easy, as those who understand the vast policy areas in CMS know. Procurement and personnel are not for the faint of heart. She’s taught many lawmakers and stakeholders (including me) how to actually get votes for their bills. She will hold you to your word and expect the same in return. She’s a resource to all other liaisons and the state is better for her years of service. Thank you Wendy! - Probably should retire soon - Tuesday, Dec 17, 24 @ 1:02 pm: For best Do-Gooder Lobbyist I’m going to nominate Josh Evans with IARF. He and his team have gotten a lot done for individuals with developmental disabilities in the last 4 budget cycles, and he knows exactly which strings to pull to get it done. Most recently, he pushed hard for the Administration’s bill that phases out the sub-minimum wage for disabled workers. He took what is typically a partisan issue and made it a bipartisan roll call. Class Act all the way around. - Probably should retire soon - Tuesday, Dec 17, 24 @ 1:05 pm: I’ll second Wendy Butler for best in-house lobbyist. She’s ferociously intense, but fair and she’s had a great career. She’ll be fondly missed. - Rich Miller - Tuesday, Dec 17, 24 @ 1:21 pm: We have two categories, people. - Submission - Tuesday, Dec 17, 24 @ 1:46 pm: Legislative Liaison- Aaron Ladzinski He cares about the people of Illinois and is dedicated to hearing from district staffers in order to solve complex problems within the State of Illinois. If you have had the pleasure of working with Arron, then you understand his drive to get things done and ultimately help others succeed. - ThinkItThrough - Tuesday, Dec 17, 24 @ 2:42 pm: Best Do-Gooder Lobbyist: Khadine Bennett. The ACLU has a tough job - sometimes they are with you on a bill and other times they will oppose you, but no one is more intentional and devoted than Khadine. Best Legislative Liaison: Allison Nickrent. No one has had more put on them since the pandemic than Public Health - Allison stepped right into the monster and never looked back. Allison’s rise to Legislative Director has been bright spot for the State and Capitol - always responsive to calls, requests, meetings, you name it, Allison gets it done. - Aaron Ladzinski - Tuesday, Dec 17, 24 @ 3:09 pm: Best Legislative Liaison: Aaron Ladzinski. Aaron works hard for the people of Illinois. He works with district staffer in efforts to solve any issues that arise. He is not afraid of challenges or issues. Aaron is extremely motivated to find a solution and this is clear in his work. He follows through with his work and does so in a timely manner. Aaron is one of the best liaisons because he is not afraid of challenges. - Glorified Babysitter - Tuesday, Dec 17, 24 @ 3:10 pm: Best Do-Gooder Lobbyist: Josh Evans of IARF - Josh has spent the last 20+ years fiercely advocating on behalf of disability and mental health providers to ensure individuals in need get the care they deserve. He has ferociously pounded the halls of the Capitol year after year fighting for and securing unprecedented funding increases for disability services. As another person noted, Josh worked behind the scenes on the Dignity in Pay Act for a number of years bringing together differing opinions, promoting compromise, offering language changes, and helping to ensure the needed votes to get the bill passed. Josh does his job with pride, dignity, and passion, and cares about the people of this state. Best Legislative Liaison: Heather Eagleton, HFS - Heather came into her role in the throes of the legislative session this past year and hit the ground running. She didn’t shy away from the heavy legislative load that is continuous at HFS, instead she tackled a number of issues head on. She is approachable, easy to work with, and smart as a whip. - NorthShoreSaluki - Tuesday, Dec 17, 24 @ 3:19 pm: Liaison - Richard Sgro IDOR. Always answers every message, makes his team available for questions, disagrees without being disagreeable, has institutional knowledge but exercises it to say “we’ve never done that before so we won’t start now.” Definitely would pick him up @ O’Hare. Do gooder: Same vein, Maurice Scholten of Taxpayers’ Federation. Deep subject matter expertise, Senate staff experience for what is possible, explains issues without making lay person feel uninformed. Works not to say “No” but “why” and will it accomplish what the proponents or opponents say. A balls and strikes umpire of tax policy. Also eligible for O’Hare pickup due to the way he treats people. - NorthShoreSaluki - Tuesday, Dec 17, 24 @ 3:21 pm: Long time reader, first time poster. Sorry for double post - see first post - second only for emphasis/enthusiasm. - Stratton Rat - Tuesday, Dec 17, 24 @ 3:23 pm: Do-Gooder: John Amdor. The dude is the face and voice for active transportation issues. And look at the list of other clients: AARP, Elevate Energy, Justice Project, Prison Action Fund, John Howard Association, Shriver, United way. Not a session day goes by that you don’t see him working it at the Capitol. Liaison: Wendy Butler. There are always many worthy and deserving nominees in this category, but I guarantee they have all called Wendy for advice over the years. Trusted, honest, no nonsense, works as hard as any Liaison. When people say she will be missed at the Capitol, they are not kidding. - Gohawks123 - Tuesday, Dec 17, 24 @ 3:31 pm: Best Liaison: Wendy Butler over at CMS, who Aaron Ladzinski works under, she is the best at her job period. She is driven, focused, and always doing the right thing. Dogooder: Josh Evans, constantly working hard and fighting for his issues Best Dogooder - AngylFyre - Tuesday, Dec 17, 24 @ 3:44 pm: Best Do-Gooder Lobbyist: Allison Richard – Allison’s impactful work with the Illinois Collaboration on Youth (ICOY) highlights her dedication to advocating for marginalized voices, ensuring those unheard are brought to the forefront of policymaking. Best Legislative Liaison: Nikita Richards – Nikita’s leadership with the Commission on Equity and Inclusion (CEI) stands out; her ability to hit the ground running, driving progress and fostering equity in her first session in the role is phenomenal to watch. - Watch Bill List - Tuesday, Dec 17, 24 @ 3:50 pm: Do-Gooder: Ramiro Hernandez. Always approachable, knowledgeable, and a pleasure to be around. Liaison: Allison Nickrent. There isn’t a single solitary thing at DPH that she doesn’t have her arms around at any given time. Extremely professional and even occasionally a bit humorous. - Rank DePaul - Tuesday, Dec 17, 24 @ 3:52 pm: Liaison - Bob Denneen, Racing Board - Bob flies under the radar, kind of like the DePaul Blue Demons in the Big East, but he’s got a solid skillset and gets the work done. I anticipate both he and the Blue Demons will have a successful season this coming year. Do-gooder - Stephani Becker, Shriver Center - Stephani recently left for HFS but deserves kudos for her work over the past several years, including the passage of health insurance rate review legislative. She’s a persistent advocate for consumers with the pragmatism needed to pass important legislation. - Golden Beagle - Tuesday, Dec 17, 24 @ 4:07 pm: Dogooder. John Amdor for his work on active transportation issues that always have obstacles in front of them. Takes a lot of patience and persistence. Legislative Liaison. This award always seems to go to larger agency. I agree with Bob Denneen at IRB. These have been turbulent times in the racing industry and Bob has helped the Board navigate through them. Not a glamorous assignment but deserves recognition. TrackBack URI Uncivil comments, profanity of any kind, rumors and anonymous commenters will not be tolerated and will likely result in banishment. Name/Nickname - Required E-mail - Not required URL - Not required