24 Comments » - Frequent Commenter - Tuesday, Dec 9, 25 @ 8:11 am: Best Dem Rep: Eva Dina Delgado - EVD has always worked with purpose while demonstrating kindness, empathy, and pragmatism. This year she was tasked with being part of the solution to Transit funding leveraging her CTA background and being pushed into the forefront of a major issue facing Illinois - She executed with grace, respect, and professionalism to all stake holders involved in the process. I believe she earned this year’s Golden Horseshoe award. Best Republican Rep: Brad Stephens. Following with the transit theme, Mayor Stephens was the only Republican in the House to be invited to the working group and have a voice that was respected by EVD and the rest of the committee. His willingness to listen to solutions provided by the majority party affords him the opportunity to add valuable and practical input that might otherwise be ignored due to partisan group thought and have a true impact on the end result. - Billy Bob - Tuesday, Dec 9, 25 @ 8:47 am: Dem- Kam Buckner is the hands down choice. He has his hands on so many issues and handles them respectfully and doesn’t treat the other side like they’re evil or don’t exist. He’s always accessible and a real dude, unlike many politicians. He’s a real gem. GOP- the model of a modern Republican in this state who can consolidate power and work across the aisle without scaring off moderate voters is Brad Stephens. A lot of people were skeptical of him when he was appointed to the House in 2019(?). He’s become the most effective Republican in the Capitol. - The Opinions Bureau - Tuesday, Dec 9, 25 @ 9:06 am: HDem- Eva Dina Delgado for the same reasons Frequent Commenter. There is nobody else who could have shepherded the transit bill through such a large and diverse (read: unruly) caucus. Without her relentless engagement, commitment to thorough discussion, and incredible intellect, the House would be a much poorer place. HGOP- Ditto once again for Leader Stephens. A pragmatic guy who puts a much higher priority on steak than sizzle. Maybe that’s why he’s got so many restaurants in his town. - Dan Johnson - Tuesday, Dec 9, 25 @ 9:12 am: If there was ever a year for a joint award, it would be this year on the transit package. It is pretty rare to have two members of a caucus share leadership on a mega package. Reps Delgado and Buckner put in the time, the intellectual energy, the consensus-building effort and even in the darkest hours (before the dawn, as it turned out) stayed focused on the outcome. Excellent legislating with a decades-long impact and the best state response to the fiscal cliff / downtown commuter reduction in the country. And I second Rep Stephens’ nomination. This transit package was harder and more complicated and more substantive than the 2007-08 sales tax increase and I think ranks as impactful as the creation of the RTA 50 years ago (especially if the NITA Board members are as creative, collaborative and ridership-focused as we hope they will be). - the weatherman - Tuesday, Dec 9, 25 @ 9:35 am: Eva Dina really committed herself and put in the work on transit reform. Many members fail to fully commit the time and energy that she has, which is why she is the choice over others mentioned. Transit is just one example of her work ethic, which is nearly unmatched in that chamber. Lots of people talk the talk, but she is there every session day doing the hard work to solve complex problems. She is not a show pony, but rather a work horse, and a genuinely good person to boot. On the other side of the aisle, my vote is for Brad Stephens. Solid legilslator, approachable, knowledgeable, and loves his district. Anybody who can represent constituents while still working across the aisle is worthy of recognition. He is a pro. - Start slow, taper off - Tuesday, Dec 9, 25 @ 9:56 am: Rep. Meier has shown fortitude this year working through health challenges and remains the ultra-friendly-to-everyone Rep we all know him for. Jay Hoffman was able to do a lot of heavy lifting on energy and is still working on fixing pensions - FKL - Tuesday, Dec 9, 25 @ 9:56 am: Dem- Kelly “MF”Cassidy. she handles herself with grace and poise whenever the easiest option would be to go low. It takes a lot to move big bills and be a good person when doing it. Always takes a call and is just a bad ass. Rep- La Ha has been able to start carving their own way. Can have the tough conversations without feeling overwhelmed. Could be a future front bencher with the right mindset. - Suburban pal - Tuesday, Dec 9, 25 @ 10:32 am: House Dem - Rep. Mussman is the best Representative hands down. She is so kind and thoughtful about every issue that she’s part of. She really wants to do good work for the people and she is so kind to staff. She lives and votes her values for sure. House GOP - Leader McCombie lives her values and is truly a leader who has earned respect and leadership. She is kind and approachable all while being the minority leader. She’s helped and advocated in ways that most people will never see, but she does so because she cares about what she does. - Patiently Waiting - Tuesday, Dec 9, 25 @ 11:29 am: HDem - Joyce Mason. One of the kindest, most thoughtful members of the caucus, who is truly understanding of the patience required for the job. I’ve only received a hand-written thank you card from a legislator once, and it was from her. HRepub - Amy Elik consistently represents the interests of her constituents (and party as needed), without alienating others. A class act. Both are members that may not always be on the forefront of high-visibility issues or negotiations, but are genuinely interested in hearing from stakeholders and doing what is right. - Consider This - Tuesday, Dec 9, 25 @ 11:40 am: Dem: Kelly Cassidy. Hands down. I live in Decatur but can assure you from my experience she knows no geographical boundaries when it comes to addressing needs or offering support. Her level of compassion and concern for the marginalized as well as those forgotten, steamrolled, or ignored by bureaucracy is what we should all emulate today. Good example of how to live your life and serve others. Good example of a State Legislator. Repub: Tough one…..surrounded by Freedom Caucus clowns as examples of what a republican legislator looks like in this State. Because of this, I nominate Regan Deering of the 88th. While she hasn’t done anything of substance, she notably has not become a card carrying, picture taking member of the Freedom Caucus. She tiptoed up to taking the pledge while campaigning for the safe republican seat formerly held by the retiring Dan Caulkins, but so far seems to have resisted their alluring and shiny charm. That’s got to be worth something. - Chicago voter - Tuesday, Dec 9, 25 @ 11:51 am: HDem - There are so many, but I would choose Nicolle Grasse. She is still new to the caucus, and already taking on difficult legislation. She stands by her Democratic values while building bridges across the aisle, and treats everyone (including lobbyists and others) with kindness and respect. She’s always eager to mentor young people and is just a good human all around. HGOP - Jed Davis. This may be a controversial pick, but he has taken some bold stances on progressive issues, like overdose prevention sites, which he has been on record supporting and asked his constituents their thoughts on via social media. Some of his views are very extreme on the right, and I certainly do not agree with pretty much anything he does, but he leads with compassion and an open mind. - Rabbit Hole - Tuesday, Dec 9, 25 @ 12:03 pm: Vote for best Rep: Andrade. He is always on top of his legislation and works his bills. All the while being kind and responsive. More of this please! Best Senator: Halpin, hands down, if not only for his deadpan quips during his bill intro floor speeches.He can dig into complicated material and is also very responsive. It is literally all us legislative staff/lobbyists want from a member. A text back! Both are great statesmen. - Linus - Tuesday, Dec 9, 25 @ 1:32 pm: I’ll second the nomination of Rep. Mason on the D side and add one for Rep. Spain on the R side. Both are thoughtful, serious, accessible legislators. Neither is doctrinaire or a showboater, but more interested in getting good work done than in scoring partisan points. - NotRich - Tuesday, Dec 9, 25 @ 2:06 pm: Dem: Judiciary Chair J G Gershowitz .. works her bills with fairness and knows how to put a deal together. Tries to cross the aisle and is always fair in her committee. Rep: agree with the host here.. Ryan Spain brings back memories of Republicans that knew how to legislate .. something lost on a number of his caucus members. - *ducks* - Tuesday, Dec 9, 25 @ 2:08 pm: House Dem: Eva Dina - to be able to ably handle budgeteer work and transit rewrite negotiations in this era is no small feat. She’s one of the few lawmakers in the building more interested in the work than the stature. House Republican: Windhorst. So smart and thoughtful. GOP would be smart to run him for something when the worm finally turns. - ILL-INI - Tuesday, Dec 9, 25 @ 2:21 pm: Eva Dina Delgado is a smart choice. Quiet and effective on major issues. Ryan Spain in the GOP. Effective working in the minority caucus. Willing to work across the aisle and gave one of the best, most poignant speeches in late session when the road fund changes occurred. - tarheel3 - Tuesday, Dec 9, 25 @ 2:29 pm: Rep. Natalie Manley is one of the most thoughtful, kindest, and overall most genuine person I’ve had the pleasure of working with at the statehouse. Rep. Mike Coffey is my other vote. While being a staple of Springfield politics before being elected, he has really come into his own as a legislator. - hmmm - Tuesday, Dec 9, 25 @ 2:50 pm: Dems - Rep. Mussman is the best. She is kind to staff, thoughtful, and truly engaged with the community. Repubs - Rep. Windhorst asks very good questions, never takes the low road. He truly is the Superman of Metropolis! - Sell Now Reinsdorf - Tuesday, Dec 9, 25 @ 2:51 pm: HDEM-Rep. Buckner has always been a gifted lawmaker and very easy to work with. HGOP-Rep. Windhorst’s knowledge and preparedness always impress me - HarveyGuy - Tuesday, Dec 9, 25 @ 3:13 pm: HDEM Rep Delgado for her tireless work on the budget. It’s very tough to balance a budget but it was done. She also saved transit. It was left for dead by the second week of veto. HGOP Rep Stephens is a hard worker and is able to work across the aisle for critical issues - To Be Clear - Tuesday, Dec 9, 25 @ 3:27 pm: House Dem: Eva Dina - she made transit happen. She deserves all the praise for carrying on the business of the work over the summer/fall when things got pretty nasty and personal at the end of session on the issue. House GOP - I think we have forgotten about our good friend, Jackie Haas. She works on issues many on her side would rather avoid and represents her district very well. Hope to see her back at the Capitol soon (banned punctuation). - Change Agent - Tuesday, Dec 9, 25 @ 3:29 pm: Dem - Rep. Maurice West is smart and thoughtful, always shows up, and has the best musical chops in the GA. GOP - I’ll echo the vote for Rep. Jed Davis. He could just vote in lockstep with his colleagues. Instead he really digs in to learn about issues like overdose prevention sites. Then when he could simply cave to his constituents’ views borne of lack of knowledge and stigma, he chooses to help educate them on the topic through very thorough use of social media. - Where there is a will.. - Tuesday, Dec 9, 25 @ 4:07 pm: Best Democratic Illinois State Representative — Assistant Majority Leader Rep. Bob Morgan No question about it. He championed two seriously consequential bills passed this year: HB1806, the ban on AI therapists, and HB767, which created a first-in-the-nation vaccine advisory panel to combat RFK Jr.’s attacks on vaccine access and public health. Springfield passes a lot of legislation, but if we’re being honest about who is truly meeting the moment in this unprecedented time—when Trump is actively dismantling government as we know it and selling out to the likes of Palantir Technologies and Elon Musk—this honor should go to someone who is pushing back against the rapid expansion of unregulated AI companies and standing up to our conspiracy-theorist-in-chief, RFK Jr. Best Republican Illinois State Representative — Rep. Travis Weaver While I don’t agree with many of his policy positions, Rep. Weaver is often a well-articulated and thoughtful leader in Springfield. Operating in the superminority, he is a reasonable voice pushing back on positions taken by Democratic leadership. Often overshadowed by some of his older and more senior colleagues, I commend Rep. Weaver for his dedication and consistency in fighting for fiscal responsibility in our state. - Here 4 the Laughs - Tuesday, Dec 9, 25 @ 5:19 pm: HDem: Rep. Norma Hernandez — she is so active in her community, always leading. Besides being a busy legislator who is consistently passing laws related to higher education and mental health, she is also co-chair of the Proviso Dems. She’s an up and comer. HRep: Amy Elik— agree that she is a class act and nothing but good things to say about her. TrackBack URI Anonymous commenters, uncivil comments, rumor-mongering, disinformation and profanity of any kind will be deleted. Name/Nickname - Required (required) E-mail - Not required (not required) URL - Not required