35 Comments » - House Observer - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 9:40 am: Best Democratic State House Staff Member - Nora Walsh!! Nora was elevated to Director after only a few months as Deputy, and handled the transition and structural overhaul of the Speaker’s Office with the grace and professionalism of a tenured staffer. She quickly gathered her team together, rose to the occasion, and provided valuable context, insight, and support to Senior Leadership during a time of uncertainty and little institutional knowledge. She’s worked to build up the Legislative Unit to a number larger than it’s ever been, brought the LC/Member ratio back down to 2/3:1 (as opposed to 4 last year), and navigated Member issues with the confidence of someone in the role for years. Best Republican House Staffer - Jen Paswater! Jen always has a level head about her, even when nobody would blame her for looking a bit stressed. She knows her work in and out, and is always willing to cooperate with staffers on the other side. She navigates tense subject matter and all personalities with the utmost respect and professionalism, and I always know things will be okay if I see Jen in a committee room. - Notorious JMB - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 9:44 am: Hands down Nathan Mansfield for the House Republicans. In addition to having a wealth of institutional knowledge on transportation issues Manny has trained countless staffers and interns over the years having an outsized impact on policy in the state. Well respected by everyone who works with him and just an all around good guy, he’s more than deserving of a Golden Horseshoe. Afraid I don’t know many of the Dem staffers anymore. - Room 118 - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 9:50 am: HDEMS: Madeline McCune returned and immediately mended relationships and rebuilt trust across the board. Her office works better than it has in years and that is because she put in the work and genuinely cares about her team. Madeline also positioned the House to start the budget bill this year which was huge for the caucus. She is absolutely deserving of this award. I would love to nominate in the House Republican category but I don’t know many staffers over there. - JustADude - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 9:57 am: HDem: Second for Madeline McCune. She has always been a consummate professional and the Caucus would have been lost without her institutional knowledge navigating and leading the budget process. Biggest blessing for HDems this year was getting her back. HGOP: Jen Paswater. Someone who simply keeps her head down and does the work - has for years. She is quick to assist her members with questions that she could delegate while leading on some of the toughest issues all with composure and grace. - kdjiajdi - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 10:00 am: I nominate Jason Mendonca as the best house dem staffer. I don’t know many house GOP staff so I cannot comment on that. - mirrorMan - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 10:13 am: Hdems - Nora Walsh. In the cascade of events at the start of session, she took over the Legislative Director Role and ran with it. In a time where surviving it would’ve been acceptable, she instead thrived and was a source of calm and stability. She’s a big asset to their organization. HGOP - Another vote for Jen Paswater. She’s consistently professional, knowledgeable, and kind. - *ducks* - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 10:25 am: House Dems: Kathrine Vyuk - quietly putting together an impressive portfolio of issues and deals with lobbyists with grace and professionalism. House R’s: +1ing Paswater. Solid, responsive and easy to work with. - Percy Plantagenet - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 10:29 am: HDEMS–I’m going with Jon Maxson. He’s been around for a long time and has experience that not many on that staff have. Always one to give solid advice and look critically at an issue. He helps lead the very diverse caucus with a steady approach. HGOP: Nathan Mansfield. A professional in every sense of the word. Like Maxson for the HDEMS, Nathan provides calmness when others are freaking out. - hmmm - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 10:35 am: Best Dem - Clayton Harris III- He has elevated the Dems in so many ways. He has session days going much more smoothly than ever before. Best GOP - I don’t know any, but I am sure they a re LOVELY people. - Jerry - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 10:38 am: - Jerry - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 10:33 am: House GOP staff - I nominate Nick Bellini, a fixture of professionalism and integrity around the Capitol. Few individuals possess the depth of institutional knowledge that Nick brings to his caucus. His decades of political experience, strategic insight, and sharp analytical mind have made him an indispensable resource—respected not only within his own ranks but across the aisle. He is quiet in demeanor, but unmistakably fierce in his dedication and work ethic. House Dem staff - I nominate Madeline McCune. Madeline’s upbeat attitude and pleasant working style set the tone for a positive, collaborative environment. She is well-respected by everyone who has had the privilege of working with her. - Sell Now Reinsdorf - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 10:40 am: Lot of talented people to choose from, but Nora Walsh stepped up and steered a huge staff through a successful legislative session. I don’t know HGOP staff as well - Old Hollywood - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 10:43 am: House Ds: Jon Maxson. He basically filled two jobs this year as the Dem’s top comms advisor and Welch’s spox not to mention being everything he does to support the campaign side. And members, colleagues and friends all know they can call him at anytime and he’ll have a real conversation. There’s a lot new in the House, and that’s a great time to recognize Maxson as a constant model of a House staffer. House R’s: Bellini is another constant presence and models professionalism for his peers. - Buckingham - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 10:53 am: Emmett Blade for HDems. He has a wide girth of expertise that is a huge benefit for his members. He showed consummate professionalism even during late session nights, working his tail off well into the witching hour. Joe Scully for House Republicans. He lost Dane Thull to American Water, but still managed his staff with a steady hand. HGOP would be a lot worse off without him. - The Opinions Bureau - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 11:00 am: HDem: I’m afraid I can’t pick just one so it’s a three-way nomination of Sakthi Kumar, Dorothy Reinhard, and Eric Halversen. Transit would not have gotten done without their hard word. HGOP- Jen Paswater gets my nod too. She makes herself available to all stakeholders and does a great job helping people understand her members’ priorities. - NorthWing - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 11:02 am: House Dems: Madeline McCune. When the Speaker publicly says someone’s return means the House will be “firing on all cylinders,” that tells you everything. Madeline came back and delivered results. House GOP: Jen Paswater. She is reliable, smart, and has great institutional knowledge! - North Wing - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 11:11 am: House Dems: Madeline McCune. When the Speaker publicly says someone’s return means the House will be “firing on all cylinders,” that tells you everything. Madeline came back and delivered results. House GOP: Jen Paswater. She is kind, smart, and reliable. So much institutional knowledge! - Olivia Pope - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 11:17 am: H-Dem Staff: Jason Mendonca is an amazing house dem staffer! Always so helpful every time I see him in the rotunda, and has a wide plethora of knowledge! H-Republican staff: Wayne is such a great door man, and never misses a chance to say good morning ! - Importance of Being Earnest - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 11:19 am: For House Dems, it is a difficult choice, but I think it needs to go to Nora Walsh. Stepping into shoes of Kylie Kelly, she not only filled in, but took off running. She provides a wealth of institutional knowledge from both the state and campaign sides while not being afraid to change things that aren’t working. She has rolled with the numerous punches this year with unmatched professionalism. A shoutout as well for Nora’s Deputy Directors, Fallon Sellers and Allie McNamara who have been with Nora all the way supporting members and staff. For House GOP, it can only go to Jen Paswater. Trusted an respected by staff on both sides of the isle, she genuinely wants the legislative process to work well to deliver good policy. She manages the many personalities at the Capitol with professionalism while being genuine. - Cook Co - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 11:20 am: House Dems: Jon Maxson. A grounding force in an often unpredictable caucus. He has a deep understanding of the capitol and legislative process that make him indispensable. House GOP: Jen Paswater. She has always been kind, approachable, and knowledgeable. A real asset to her caucus. - Des Plaines Democrat - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 11:21 am: Jon Maxson for HDems. At this point, his role basically defies a label—he’s the person the entire caucus turns to when they need answers, and it doesn’t matter what the question is about. Legislation, communications, process, you name it—if it’s happening under the dome, Jon knows it inside and out. After nearly 20 years, he’s navigated members through just about every challenging situation you can imagine, and that institutional knowledge is irreplaceable. Now he is a mentor to young staffers and passing all of that down. More than anyone, he has never been one to just do his “job,” he is the go-to person for everyone, at any time, on anything. - Jsnfnaoydn - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 11:22 am: HDEM - I nominate Jason Mendonca. He has a wealth of knowledge and is always willing to help anyone he comes across. He is so friendly and talks with all. HGOP - I don’t know anyone well enough - 4 percent - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 11:39 am: HGOP: Joe Scully by far. Budget expert on par with the best. Quiet and unassuming - never draws attention to himself but is absolutely invaluable to the GOP leadership and staff. Nobody is even close. - Snowflake - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 12:03 pm: House Dems: I’m backing Madeline McCune, no question. When the Speaker says her return means the House is back “running like a well-oiled machine,” that’s leadership telling you she’s a difference-maker. Madeline has a way of bringing structure to the chaos and keeping things moving when the pace gets intense. She’s steady, prepared, and quietly effective, and you can feel it in how smoothly the operation runs when she’s in the mix. House GOP: Jayme Siemer is one of those people you’re grateful is in the building. She’s sharp, dependable, and brings real institutional knowledge to every conversation. She makes herself accessible to stakeholders and does a great job helping people understand what her members are trying to accomplish. Jayme is responsive, measured, and consistently on top of tough issues, all while keeping her focus on getting the work done. - Spreadsheet Fiend - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 12:09 pm: House Dems- Nora Walsh; As others have stated, Nora took on the extraordinary task of being the first person to take over the Legislative Unit after it was formed under Kylie Kelly. She had no blueprint to work off of for how to transition to her new role, and the environment around her (and her staff) was in a constant flux, but she managed to keep the show going AND IMPROVING! She is everything that we could ask for in a public servant and leader: kind, knowledgeable, effective, and willing to adjust course as needed. Additionally, the amount of time and effort that she and her management team have spent investing in training up new staff and developing returning staff will pay off in dividends for the entire House for years. (I would be remiss, however, to not shout out Nora’s leadership team which has been critical in helping to support, determine, and execute those goals: Fallon Sellers, Allie McNamara, and Stephanie Miller). This place won’t run without Nora’s team, and they couldn’t do what they do without excellent leadership at the top, which she exemplifies. House GOP- Zak Clark; He’s easily one of the most knowledgeable and friendly staffers to have in a committee. His dedication to improving higher education in IL has been a throughline of that committee for years now, and the way he works with all stakeholders is the gold standard of effective staffing. - Grüezi - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 12:14 pm: HGOP: Nathan Mansfield is by far most deserving. He has done a fantastic job of helping fill gaps after Dane’s departure. He also trains the best interns under the dome. HDEM: Don’t know many but Jason Mendonca is very nice and knows what he’s doing; he seems to be everywhere all at once - PodiumDrawer - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 12:20 pm: HDEMS: Nora Walsh - It would be difficult for anyone to step into the shoes of Kylie Kelly, but Nora Walsh did so with little to no notice and has excelled in every way. Nora manages the largest staff in the Speaker’s Office while also navigating the needs of all 78 members of the House Democratic Caucus. She handles bills, roll calls, policy questions, district office needs, and everything in between with extraordinary skill. Nora is the go-to for nearly any question both members and staff may have. She brings a positive attitude, solid judgment, and an understanding of how to work with each member in a way that helps them achieve their legislative goals while also advancing the Speaker’s priorities. She is deeply humble and will likely hate the attention this brings, but it is more than deserved. HGOP: Nick Bellini – Nick has decades of experience that makes him a huge asset to his caucus. Always professional, great insight on both the political and state side, and a strong work ethic. He has more institutional knowledge about the Capitol than probably 90 percent of people working there and uses it to the advantage of Leader McCombie. He’s a friend to both Republicans and Democrats, and while he may be quiet, he has a great dry sense of humor. - In the weeds - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 12:32 pm: I am here to add to the votes for Jen Paswater for best House Republican staffer. I rarely talk to her and her members about bills they will support, but despite their opposition to our goals, she engages in good faith discussion about the bills and often has helpful insights and feedback. The legislative process gets better outcomes because of her intellect and demeanor. I am still thinking about which House Dem staffer to nominate… - Missing In Assignments - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 12:36 pm: HDEMS: Nora Walsh stepped in during a turbulent time for the House Dems staff and has masterminded much of the smoothness that we experienced during the Spring Session along with her deputies Allie McNamara & Fallon Sellers. HGOP: Wayne Padget treats everyone who walks through the doors of the Capitol with the utmost respect and makes every interaction a good one! - Downstate - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 2:48 pm: Best Democratic State House Staff Member: Madeline McCune. It felt like when Madeline came back to staff there was a collective exhale. She’s known to be generous with her time, thoughtful in her decision making, and always focused on doing right by the caucus. - ChiTown - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 3:11 pm: HDems: Madeline McCune - can’t think of anyone more deserving. She took charge in a difficult time and has worked hard to rebuild the Approp staff - respect! HGOP: Jen Paswater - has a strong ability to work across both sides of the aisle. - Energizer - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 3:12 pm: Katherine Vuyk. She came onto staff last session and was baptized by fire with the energy omnibus. Katherine has accomplished an impressive amount during her short time at the Capitol, but this should be no surprise. Her impressive feats are powered by her kindness, integrity, and creative thinking that she demonstrates daily in her work and interactions with others. - Energizer - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 3:13 pm: Clarification that comment above is for HouseDems. I will eb submitting House Republican staff shortly, Not everything got copied and pasted corrected from my document! - Energizer - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 3:18 pm: HouseDems: My initial comment above nominating Katherine Vuyk. HouseGOP: Jen Paswater. Her collaborative abilities and impressive wealth of knowledge in her issue areas make her an incredible asset to House GOP. - Anonymous - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 4:34 pm: House dems - Nora Walsh is great to work with and always helpful. House republicans - Nick Bellini. Nick is, in many ways, a bit like Eeyore - occasionally appearing grumpy or pessimistic- but those who know him well understand that is simply part of his charm. Beneath that exterior, his blend of candor, loyalty, and insight make him invaluable. - Bob - Friday, Dec 5, 25 @ 6:05 pm: HDem: Isn’t getting the House started on time reason enough to vote for Clayton Harris? HGOP: Derek Persico is an institution with the House Republicans, is honest and decent with everyone he interacts with, and brings his dog to the Capitol in May. (This nomination may be more for the dog.) TrackBack URI Anonymous commenters, uncivil comments, rumor-mongering, disinformation and profanity of any kind will be deleted. 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