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Question of the day: 2025 Golden Horseshoe Awards
Thursday, Dec 4, 2025 - Posted by Rich Miller * The 2025 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best House Democratic Legislative Assistant/District Office Manager goes to Liz Moody…
Honorable mention goes to Mike Wasielewski, who emerged as a late favorite. * The 2025 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best House Republican Legislative Assistant/District Office Manager is a tie: Amanda Daley and Brandy Loftus…
All of those folks above are top-notch. Congrats! * On to today’s categories…
* Best Democratic State Senate Staff Member Nominees can come from the government and campaign sides. Bill Schneider won last year and is not eligible. Mary Hanahan was the other winner, but she’s now with a law firm. As always, please explain your nominations or they won’t count. This is more about intensity than numbers. Also, do your very best to nominate in both categories. If you can’t, you can’t, but please tell us why. * After you’ve entered your nominations, please click here to contribute to our annual Christmas toy fundraiser for foster kids. We raised more than $6,000 yesterday, but Lutheran Social Services of Illinois has more than 2,500 foster kids in its care and they must raise more than $62,000 to buy all of them modest presents. As I write this, we’ve raised $28,455. That’s not bad, but it’s way below the threshold. Those kids count on us, so, please do your best to chip in whatever you can. Let’s help spread some genuine Christmas joy as widely as we possibly can.
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- Peer - Thursday, Dec 4, 25 @ 11:14 am:
SDems: This year’s Golden Horseshoe should go to Lilly Mashayek. As SDems immigration staffer, Lilly fielded countless pressing questions and concerns from members, approached novel legal questions not answered in our country’s history with intelligence and care, and embraced bearing the brunt of the Complex’s federal response during Veto. Most important of all, Lilly has the highest respect of her colleagues. Newer attorneys look to Lilly for advice and trust that she has the success of the Legal Review Staff, as individuals and as a team, on top of mind and heart.
SGOP: Joshua Horeled is a fantastic attorney and an even better human. He understands and embodies what it means to be a great staffer for the minority party. So many pieces of legislation are made better because Joshua took the time to reach out, explain a change requested by his members, and negotiate a resolution that works for everyone in good faith.
- Senate - Thursday, Dec 4, 25 @ 11:26 am:
Dillon Santoni on Sen Dem staff. He tirelessly works to get the budget together for the Caucus. He does so with a great calmness and determination yet still friendly in the pressure environment.
Emma Dillard has been an impressive addition to Senate GOP staff. Her diligence and determination serves them well
- Frequent Commenter - Thursday, Dec 4, 25 @ 11:42 am:
Senate Republicans: Nicole Besse - not only is Nicole informed on the everchanging legislation on the last days of session, but she also has the respect of her colleagues across the aisle to help make the Senate chamber a great place to work!
Senate Democrats: Dillon Santoni. For his first year leading the budget for his caucus, he did a great job!!
- -Commenter- - Thursday, Dec 4, 25 @ 11:54 am:
Maddie Wilkins for Sen Dem Staff for her work on public transit. Maddie has been indispensable on this issue - from helping organize the Subject Matter Hearings last summer, meetings with stakeholders, bill negotiations, and helping draft what ultimately became SB2111.
Samantha Bussone for Senate Republicans for her work staffing the Senate Transpo committee. She’s very responsive and helpful.
- Gohawks123 - Thursday, Dec 4, 25 @ 12:03 pm:
Sdems: Grant Flynn. He really ran state government well this year and is a rising star on staff.
SGOP: Bart Johnson. He really works hard across the board and is responsive to any question asked.
- CJ - Thursday, Dec 4, 25 @ 12:05 pm:
Senate Dems: Lilly Mashayek on the Senate Dem Legal Staff is more than deserving of this title. She is calm, consistent, and works diligently without calling attention to herself despite the complexity of legal analysis she is frequently called upon to do (often with little notice). The legal staff looks to Lilly for guidance and support, and without her, they would not accomplish half of what they do. The State and the Senate Dems are extremely fortunate that Lilly is a member of their team.
Senate GOP: Joshua Horeled is an exceptionally competent and intelligent attorney and provides analysis, support, and valued insight for his members on nearly every bill that makes its way out of Assignments. Dem staff loves working across the aisle with Joshua because they can trust that he is operating in good faith on behalf of his members and the State. The Senate Republicans are lucky to have Joshua on their team.
- PLR - Thursday, Dec 4, 25 @ 12:06 pm:
Senate Democrats - Ashley Hollis stepped into her role on legal staff at the beginning of last session and immediately was thrown in as the Chamber’s lead staff member on a fast moving energy omnibus bill. She learned the players and issues impressively quick, and was an incredible point of contact for stakeholders throughout the process. She’s certainly one to watch and deserving of this year’s Golden Horseshoe.
Senate Republicans - Brendan Conner deserves recognition for the endless roles he plays on the Caucus’ staff. He not only staffs higher education committee and executive appointments, but as deputy floor director he screens and pre-assigns all bills to staff analysts, marks daily calendars for members and senior staff, tracks vehicle bills and final session bills in both chambers, and has a constant presence on the floor when the Senate is in session. He manages this workload while still finding ways to go above & beyond and maintaining a great attitude. He is an indispensable asset to his colleagues, senior staff, and the Caucus members. He is absolutely deserving of this award.
- Santa - Thursday, Dec 4, 25 @ 12:18 pm:
Senate Democrats: Dillon Santoni absolutely deserves the recognition. The budget is the backbone of everything the Caucus is trying to accomplish, and Dillon consistently brings steadiness and focus to a process that’s high-pressure and deadline-driven. He’s thorough, dependable, and collaborative, and he keeps things moving without making it about himself. That combination is rare and really valuable in this building.
Senate Republicans: John Hall is a standout for all the right reasons. Serving as the lead GOP staffer for Senate Executive means juggling substance, procedure, and competing priorities, and John does it with seriousness and good judgment. He asks the right questions, keeps members’ interests front and center, and still finds ways to go beyond what the job requires. He’s the kind of staffer colleagues rely on because he’s consistently prepared, responsive, and trusted.
- Lincoln - Thursday, Dec 4, 25 @ 12:31 pm:
Senate Republicans: Angie Sidles. She is always great to work with and is very responsive.
Senate Democrats: Natally Jawhar. She has taken on a big role being the revenue staffer. Natally is someone you can always count on to go above and beyond.
- Berwyn Cicero - Thursday, Dec 4, 25 @ 12:33 pm:
Senate Democratic Staff: Ashley Jenkins. Consummate professional.
Senate Republican Staff: Josh Horeled. He’s a wartime consigliere.
- Bluewaters - Thursday, Dec 4, 25 @ 12:37 pm:
Senate Republicans - Rich Rockwood, he gets tough assignments and regularly drills down to provide a quality response from the minority party. They are usually behind the ball on receiving legislation, but Rich’s timeliness and effectiveness provide great value to the caucus.
Senate Dems - Lots of new faces on Senate Dem staff and many old ones took on new roles from previous years. You could give it to many as all of them excelled with their assignments. Grant Flynn however sticks out for his work on not only the State Government Committee, but also on the BIMP.
- Black Sketchers - Thursday, Dec 4, 25 @ 12:41 pm:
SDems: Andrew Hoffmann. Andrew is an effective leader, a true professional and wears a big heart on his sleeve. He really knows how to hold down the Stratton sixth floor
SGOP: Bart Johnson. Bart is fantastic to work with. He has always been reliable, responsive and dedicated in his work under the dome.
- The Opinions Bureau - Thursday, Dec 4, 25 @ 12:46 pm:
SDem- There is no shortage of outstanding Senate Dem staffers and I could make the case for all the other fine folks nominated but Maddie Wilkins gets my nod as well. Her work on transit went above and beyond- researching issues, organizing countless hearings and meetings, and communicating with an array of stakeholders.
SGOP- Samantha Bussone gets my nod for her work staffing Transportation. She’s smart and great at reaching out proactively to stakeholders on issues her members are working on.
The Senate Transportation Committee is a (relatively) harmonious place thanks in large part to the work of these two.
- Suburban Operative - Thursday, Dec 4, 25 @ 12:55 pm:
SGOP: Joshua Horeled is always the calm, steady, thoughtful voice in the conversation
SDEM: Jake Handley has a sharp political mind that is always useful
- Downstategirl - Thursday, Dec 4, 25 @ 12:57 pm:
SDEM: Clare O’Donnell on legal staff is quite the Legal Eagle. Always super responsive, professional and great to work with.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Dec 4, 25 @ 1:06 pm:
Again, please nominate in both categories. If you can’t, then please acknowledge that you can’t.
- SuburbsGuy - Thursday, Dec 4, 25 @ 1:09 pm:
Dem- Maddie with the Transportation Committee gets my vote. They were dealt an absolutely insane task and went above and beyond to us lobbyists to help us.
Republican- Josh Horeled has always been kind and helpful. They are lucky to have him.
- Go Cats - Thursday, Dec 4, 25 @ 1:10 pm:
SDEM: Maggie Lenkart - one of my favorite people to work with in Springfield, extremely responsive, strong work ethic, and positive attitude.
SGOP: Sam Rich - great communicator, never fails to email or call with a quick question to avoid any miscommunications.
- Annonin' - Thursday, Dec 4, 25 @ 1:11 pm:
All the names mentioned are fine folks, but without clear. calm voices explainin’ what the electeds are up to the work is lost
Therefore: Senate Ds: John Patterson/ Senate GOPies Wnitney Barnes.
- Jefferson T Duncan - Thursday, Dec 4, 25 @ 1:13 pm:
SDems: Dillon Santoni, he runs a tight ship and makes sure that his staff are well trained and knowledgeable on their different subject matters all while ensuring the budget is squared away.
SGOP: Nicole Besse, always a consummate professional who really seems to enjoy this work and works extremely well with everyone from every caucus and background.
- IL repute - Thursday, Dec 4, 25 @ 1:15 pm:
SGOP - Scott Foiles is great to work with. He has a handle on extremely complicated (and lengthy) legislation and is invaluable to the SGOP.
SDem - Hard to pick because they have the best staff in the building. Lilly Mashayek stands out as a fantastic attorney, leader, and genuinely kind person. Lilly handles complicated and polarizing issues with ease. She is all around fantastic to work with.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Dec 4, 25 @ 1:20 pm:
===but without clear. calm voices===
We have a spox/comms category.
- Casper the Ghost Bus - Thursday, Dec 4, 25 @ 1:50 pm:
SDems: Reena Tandon
SGOP: Nicole Besse
Could the Senate run without them?
- Clem Fandango - Thursday, Dec 4, 25 @ 1:51 pm:
SDems- Maddie Wilkins. Cant’t think of anyone who worked harder this year than Maddie. Dilligent, professional, and a pleasure to work with- no one is more deserving of the award than her.
SGOP- Brendan Conner. Brendan also works incredibly hard and puts an insane level of care and effort into his work. He’s a great person to work with and a top candidate for the award.
- AED - Thursday, Dec 4, 25 @ 2:03 pm:
SDEMS: Have a question about technology or AI? Kelsey Wilson on the Dems Legal Staff is your go to staffer! She navigates uncharted territory that no one else understands quite as well with grace, intelligence, and thoughtfulness. Members and staff would be lost without her!
SGOP: Adding another vote for Joshua Horeled. Can’t say enough good things about him - sharp, professional, and kind!
- Top Of The Dome - Thursday, Dec 4, 25 @ 2:08 pm:
SDEM: Dillon Santoni is a great leader and an asset to the budget process. He is able to work calmly during high-stress periods and is greatly knowledgeable in many subject areas.
SGOP: Jack Felker does great work on the revenue omnibus. He is kind and great to work with.
- SnowySpringfield - Thursday, Dec 4, 25 @ 2:15 pm:
SDEM - Ashley Hollis managed the ever unwieldy energy omnibus during her very first session on staff and did it with consummate professionalism. She is absolutely an asset to the Dem Caucus.
SGOP - Brendan Conner does a suburb job and his attention to detail often ends up saving the day, especially as we creep towards the end of session and things get hectic.
- Illinois Resident - Thursday, Dec 4, 25 @ 2:19 pm:
SGOP: Niall Sullivan - Niall is very knowledgeable in his subject area and is always quick to respond.
SDEM: Dillon Santoni - Dillon led the SDEM P&B Department with diligence, grace, and humility. He excelled in leading as his first year as director. His leadership is unmatched under stressful situtaions when shaping the budget under constraints.
- ATA - Thursday, Dec 4, 25 @ 2:38 pm:
SDems Maddie Wilkins. She went above and beyond, above and beyond, above and beyond for the transit bill. Amazingly detailed and hard work.
- SomewhereinIL - Thursday, Dec 4, 25 @ 4:01 pm:
SGOP-Jenny Patton of the SGOP. She’s the definition of professionalism, with experience in both the House and the Senate, making her a trusty go-to for anything GA at the Statehouse. Her quick wit keeps spirits up during those long nights in session, and she’s the one who helps hold everything together when it matters most. Jenny’s the kind of nominee this award was made for.
- Swiss Miss - Thursday, Dec 4, 25 @ 4:29 pm:
SGOP - It is honestly shocking that Josh Horeled has not already won a Golden Horseshoe. No one on that staff matches his work ethic, his output, or his willingness to rise to the moment and step up when it matters most. Josh quietly handles some of the most complex and high-stakes issues that move through the legislature, and he does it with exceptional diligence and professionalism, never seeking attention or credit. When deadlines tighten, when the work gets messy, and when the stakes are at their highest, Josh is the person everyone relies on. His impact is felt across the institution, and it is long past time his contributions are recognized.
SDEMS - Reena Tandon took on a whole new role this year and really excelled. She keeps the Senate running on time and on track, and that is no small feat. Her steady hand, attention to detail, and ability to juggle competing demands make a real difference, and her work shows every day.
- SGOP Guru - Thursday, Dec 4, 25 @ 4:34 pm:
Jenny Patton of the SGOP sets the bar for what true professionalism looks like. Having served on both the House and the Senate staff, she brings unmatched institutional knowledge and is the person everyone turns to when it comes to navigating legislative matters at the Statehouse. Her intelligence and sense of humor cut through the longest, toughest days, while her leadership and calm under pressure keep things on track when it matters most. This award was designed for someone exactly like Jenny—dedicated, dependable, and indispensable.
- FormerMuseumStaff96 - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 12:27 am:
Madi Dotson for SDEM. Shocked she hasn’t already been mentioned. Competent, agile, and forthcoming. She handles her committees and issue areas as a legal staffer with a perceivable discipline that can’t be matched by others. As the lead on Senate Executive, she has an especially demanding logistical workload. The fact that she keeps the train on the rails *as much as she can* is to be commended.
Nicole Besse for SGOP. This is a no brainer. A previous commenter noted that the Senate couldn’t run without her — couldn’t agree more. The institutional knowledge she’s come to possess over the past 26 years is priceless in an industry with high staff turnover rates. It’s clear that members and staff alike defer to her judgement for good reason. She’s a joy to work with, funny, a mentor and advocate to newer staff, and keeps staff and members in line and focused. The SGOP Floor Director deserves this award.