* The 2025 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Contract Lobbyist is a tie. The crowd favorite Marc Poulos…
Marc played a key role in getting major legislation like energy and transit over the finish line this session. Without Marc’s leadership I don’t see these bills getting passed. He is also accessible to everyone and will take the time to talk anyone about the legislation he is working on. There is no one better than Marc.
And Elaine Nekritz…
When I’m fumbling around in a discussion, it’s always such a relief when she shows up and I can think “Oh good, the grown ups are here now.” Over the years, she has made countless contributions to make our criminal legal system just a bit less harmful. And this year those contributions are dwarfed by her work on transit and energy.
* The 2025 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best In-House Lobbyist goes to Sharlyn Grace…
For decades, elected officials have needed far more info than they have been able to receive from trial-level defense attorneys - public defenders in particular - in order to understand how law and policy are impacting adults and children accused of a wide variety of offenses. In addition to providing/coordinating/supervising more of this representation than ever before, Sharlyn led the charge on behalf of both the Illinois Public Defender Association and Law Office of the Cook County Public Defender to ensure that people who cannot afford an attorney will have representation at the state level *in perpetuity,* via IL’s first-ever State Public Defender. Because my office conducted research into defense practices, I could go on too long about IL’s crisis of adequate representation. In short: the fact that IL’s system has been statutorily calcified since the 1940s - before the Supreme Court recognized the right to public defense and before the Civil Rights movement - demonstrates the depth and breadth of change that is needed. Devising a path toward addressing that challenge while aligning the interest and will of a wide range of stakeholders across multiple branches and levels of government and various coalition members while centering the needs of clients was a massive and incredibly difficult task. Throughout years of countless internal and external meetings on the topic in general and about the FAIR Act in particular, I never saw Sharlyn dismiss someone’s concerns or fail to push a difficult but important issue as far as it could go. I can’t imagine anyone else in the state who could have been as able to convince stakeholders to take a chance on the first significant defense system change any lawyer or judge will have experienced throughout their entire careers. In getting the FAIR Act across the finish line this year, Sharlyn has made concrete, positive, permanent change on the entire field of public defense in our state and, most importantly, for millions of future Illinoisans entitled to have their Constitutional rights protected.
Honorable mention goes to Dave Feller.
Congratulations to all!
* On to today’s categories…
Best Legislative Liaison
Best Do-Gooder Lobbyist
Wendy Butler won best liaison last year and has since retired. John Amdor won best do-gooder last year so he’s not eligible (dude has won in three different categories over the years).
Make sure to explain your nominations or they won’t count (and will likely be deleted). And please do your best to nominate in both categories. Thanks.
* And after you’ve finished nominating your faves, please click here and help us buy Christmas presents for foster kids. We’re doing well this year, but we could always raise more. Thanks!
- Suburban Dad - Tuesday, Dec 16, 25 @ 8:42 am:
For Do-gooder, the clear nominee is Khadine Bennett of the ACLU. Khadine is tireless and relentless in working on some of the most difficult issues in the Capitol — artificial intelligence, surveillance and policing and (this year) medical aid in dying. She never loses her cool amid difficult demands and stays focused over sessions to get the work done.
- Stephanie Kollmann - Tuesday, Dec 16, 25 @ 9:05 am:
And don’t forget abortion rights. Khadine is also calm in crisis and generous with helping to advise, connect, and teach others while able to remain discreet and understated about all of the knowledge she holds.
I always hate to nominate in this category because the work so many people do is wonderful and underappreciated and it is hard to choose among them - but I suspect if the do-gooder lobbyists were polled, they might support naming the award for Khadine.
- Change Agent - Tuesday, Dec 16, 25 @ 9:28 am:
Legislative Liaison: Luis Klein at Department of Juvenile Justice always shows up, both in the Capitol and in the community. He has a depth of knowledge of his agency’s work that is unmatched among his liaison peers.
Do-Gooder: The team at the Shriver Center has been instrumental on so many issues over the years. I have always relied on Stephanie Altman for anything I need to know about Medicaid, and Jeremy Rosen coming to Illinois has been great for increasing the depth of knowledge on revenue matters. Shriver’s fellow do-gooders will probably be a bit lost next year without them, and Illinois will certainly be worse for it.
- SweetLou86 - Tuesday, Dec 16, 25 @ 10:01 am:
Do-gooders: the team at the Shriver Center. They’ve been a dependable and consistent voice on finding progressive revenue and having the numbers to back it up. Their attention to detail was unmatched. Their presence is going to be missed.
Liaison - Recusing myself on this one.
- Adams St Stan - Tuesday, Dec 16, 25 @ 10:07 am:
Best Liaison: Richard Sgro. A true subject matter expert and an extremely hard worker. Best Do-Gooder: I’m not familiar enough to name someone.
- Working the Rail - Tuesday, Dec 16, 25 @ 10:09 am:
Liaison- While all the lobbyist working on the energy bill were running around with fact sheets, Sarah Ryan at the ICC was quietly listening and working to put together the bill. Another HUGE energy bill, and Sarah once again was able to keep calm, clearly articulate the ICC’s position, receive feedback, and was always accessible. Sarah Ryan deserves this year’s Golden Horseshoe.
For do-gooder, it has to be Kady McFadden. When the energy bill looked doomed, she was able to help her side see the light, and meet labor in the middle. She balances being a true believer with someone who is more focused on creating good laws than grandstanding for cameras or funders. She’s open and honest, fair, and knows both the political/legislative side of these issues and the technical side. Kady McFadden deserves this year’s do-gooder award.
- Mike McDermott - Tuesday, Dec 16, 25 @ 10:16 am:
Liaison - Allison Nickrent with IDPH - in our experience, no liaison puts in as much time and boots on the ground in the statehouse and is as responsive to the field.
Do-Gooder: joint nomination - Emily Miller and Luis Andrade with IARF. Over the last several years, there has been a renaissance level fiscal and policy commitment to building up disability and behavioral health services in Illinois and they both have been at the heart of the policy/advocacy work and coordination with colleagues, the legislature, and the Administration.
- Enviro - Tuesday, Dec 16, 25 @ 10:23 am:
Do-gooder - Kady McFadden rocked a complicated energy negotiation this year, coordinating so many different stakeholders to finally get to a great result. She’s so talented at the process, the technical knowledge, and the politics. Beyond the energy bill, she’s also had a role in many smaller environment and conservation efforts this year, to so much success.
Legislative liaison - Aaron Goldstein has brought a great responsiveness and proactive leadership to IDOT this year. It was a breath of fresh air at a time when it was really needed.
- JoanP - Tuesday, Dec 16, 25 @ 10:24 am:
= dude has won in three different categories over the years =
Is that a record?
- A+ Team - Tuesday, Dec 16, 25 @ 10:25 am:
Legislative Liason: Marlen Mendoza with IDHR
Easy to work with, responsive, smart and kind, even in the chaos.
Wasn’t sure if I did the right category yesterday so nominating again.
Do Gooder: Khadine Bennett with ACLU
Generally, but especially her work on the medical aid in dying bill. She worked on that bill non-stop and didn’t give up until the very end, and by the very end, I mean until it was voted on. She did the lobbying work, testified in committee and drafted and negotiated a controversial bill. She’s always respectful, polite, a hard worker, always strategic and never gives up-things you want in an effective lobbyist.
- To Be Clear - Tuesday, Dec 16, 25 @ 10:28 am:
Best Legislative Liaison: Allison Nickrent, IDPH. Not only is she a true professional that is always boots on the ground, but when Andrew Chesney (of all people) shouts her out in committee and on the floor for her work ethic and responsiveness, you know you are the cream of the crop. Public Health continues to take a beating, but Allison keeps the trains running on time for a agency that still takes a lot of heat nationally.
Best Do-Gooder Lobbyist: The Shiver Center. Illinois and Chicago will be experiencing a great loss with the closure of the Shiver Center. They have always had a strong presence in the Capitol and well respected.
- Occasionally a Bit Humorous - Tuesday, Dec 16, 25 @ 10:39 am:
Liaison - Allison Nickrent. Her breadth of knowledge and expertise goes well beyond DPH’s Division of Governmental Affairs. Allison’s professionalism is second to none and she is extraordinarily bright.
Do-Gooder - CJ Baker. He hit the ground running at Mid-American Energy and is a stand-up professional and all-around great guy.
- Michael McLean - Tuesday, Dec 16, 25 @ 10:55 am:
Thank you Elaine and John and everyone for your work on transit! Amazing day for the state
- Operative Word - Tuesday, Dec 16, 25 @ 10:59 am:
Best do gooder lobbyist and honestly best contract lobbyist this year both go to Kady McFadden. Energy policy is complex policy and complex politically this bill simply doesn’t get done without Kady. She was the hub for not just the climate groups but the clean energy companies, and was the lobbyist who the legislative energy working group leaned on most. She has the trust of legislators when this issue was hard this year - consumer utility bills were going up and lawmakers had to trust that the solutions in this bill were going to work and resonate back home in the district. She was the lead lobbyist not just negotiating the policies in the bill for over a year, but also whipped the votes - and helped ensure last minute flags from the moderate caucus and Black caucus were taken seriously but also alleviated. She stepped in to finally cut the deal with labor to get them supportive of the bill and break the months long logjam that was on the bill. This was a big feat and many of us know Kady was quietly behind it all.
- Eastside - Tuesday, Dec 16, 25 @ 11:03 am:
Legislative Liaison: Allison Nickrent has risen to a level within her agency that few liaisons achieve; she impacts policy. She has a calm and unflappable demeanor. She is the best this Administration has had.
Do-Gooder: Niya Kelly has more influence than people realize. She is trusted by the increasingly influential progressive movement within the State House and is developing the chops to support the increased influence.
- Find me on the rail - Tuesday, Dec 16, 25 @ 11:20 am:
Best liaison: Tyler Bohannon doesn’t get enough credit for quietly handling a difficult subject matter, balancing several different issues and passionate stakeholders. Plus you can always find him on the third floor willing to chat about issues.
Best do gooder: Khadine Bennett for all her work with medical aid in dying.
- GoHawks123 - Tuesday, Dec 16, 25 @ 11:30 am:
Best Liaison: Tyler Bohannon, he is constantly seen at the capital. He is extremely wise on his subject matter and represents the department of AG with great pride. The governors office is lucky to have him.
Best do gooder:Kady Mcfadden does well and is seen across the capital
- Anon - Tuesday, Dec 16, 25 @ 11:40 am:
Best do-gooder goes to Khadine Bennett w the ACLU, who has developed a stellar reputation for being a straightforward, hard-worker who steadfastly represents her organization’s interests, and who is always willing to meet and listen to other perspectives.
Best liaison goes to Tito Quinones at the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity. DCEO administers a massive volume of grants, all of which legislators care about in one way or another, not to mention dozens of divisions executing on everything from business development to tourism to film. Tito seems to cover it all and somehow is everywhere always on legislative session days. His House Dem staff experience helped him develop relationships he continues to tend to, but he’s also very effective at working with new legislators and staff.
- Walker - Tuesday, Dec 16, 25 @ 11:50 am:
Khadine has a special knack for taking complex and emotional issues, and settling down everybody by listening, getting to the core ideas that count, and showing obvious care for individual legislators. She starts with humanity.
Liaison: Aaron Gold-Stein has brought a breath of fresh air and positive responsiveness to the IDOT role. Dealing with them used to give me a brain cramp; now it’s always a delight to see him coming.
- AlabamaShake - Tuesday, Dec 16, 25 @ 11:56 am:
Dogooder: Khadine Bennett is a rockstar. She just gets stuff done. And hard stuff. Medical Aid in Dying was almost singlehandedly passed because of her, and it was just one of so many successes. She works incredibly hard, she has great relationships and is well respected.
Liaison: Allison Nickrent is easily one of the best liaisons we’ve seen in years. She works well with all stakeholders, she’s responsible, and she’s smart. She doesn’t look to get to no, she tries to figure out how to get to yes.
- Justin the Nick of Time - Tuesday, Dec 16, 25 @ 12:20 pm:
Cannot imagine a better fit for the do-gooder award than Kady McFadden. She was grand central station for the big energy bill and the complex stakeholders involved. There was everything you could see in Springfield (whipping votes, coordinating w/ leadership and Gov team, dinners and drinks) and then there was everything you couldn’t (immeasurable time on zoom calls w/ enviros coordinating, 100s of hours meeting w/ labor and industry). Honest broker and unbelievably effective negotiator. She’s a force to be reckoned with and fortunately that force is for good.
- Not Again - Tuesday, Dec 16, 25 @ 12:27 pm:
In-House: Sarah Ryan is a rockstar at ICC. Knows all the issues and helps keep energy policy moving forward with focus, intelligence and often a cute baby. One thing that really goes underrated is her outreach locally. There is not an ICC event within 20 miles that she doesn’t alert all the elected officials to, the agency and the state are a better place with her in public service.
Do-Gooder: Jeff Scott at AARP handles so many policy issues and helps constituents on finances topics all while keeping his typical Jeff poise and expertise.
- The Lowly LA - Tuesday, Dec 16, 25 @ 1:20 pm:
Liaison: Have to wholeheartedly throw another vote for Allison Nickrent at IDPH. She has been through a ton of big issues over the years at the Department and always keeps a level head and collaborative attitude. She works extremely well with everyone under the Dome - legislators, lobbyists, advocacy groups, other agency staff - and always with a positive approach. She has a gift for seeing all sides of an issue and bringing people together, focusing on outcomes and getting the job done while never seeking an ounce of credit.
Do-Gooder: Khadine Bennett is full of compassion, perseverance, and ability.
- snowflake - Tuesday, Dec 16, 25 @ 1:57 pm:
Steve Andersson - do gooder lobbyist - he diligently stayed on top of the “truck turning radius” bill that was finally amended and signed earlier this year. That allows complete Streets to be built for people to be safe and active and ensures that we don’t design all intersections for trucks, which often means unsafe for walking and biking.
- IllinoisBadger - Tuesday, Dec 16, 25 @ 1:57 pm:
Liaison - Luis Klein (IDJJ) or Anna Koeppel (IDOL) - both are true professionals who care deeply about the work of their agencies, understand the minute details of legislation, and constantly work to make bills better - and pass them - to improve people’s lives. Kudos to these agency liaisons who try to get to yes instead of no.
Do-gooder - Bassem Kawar (ICIRR) - Some big big wins for immigrants rights issues in May and veto. ICIRR skillfully married outside and inside game, and created new partnerships, to get it all done. Bassem led much of this impressive work.
- Leadfoot Larry - Tuesday, Dec 16, 25 @ 3:22 pm:
Do-Gooder: Joe Duffy - There is no one who cares more about working class people. Joe’s heart is always in the right place and is a true supporter of good causes. “Joey the Knife” as I have heard him called on the rail knows the game, and plays it well. Shoutout to Joe for all he did in getting the Clean Energy Bill passed.
Liaison: Aaron Ladzinski - One would say that the most important skill in the world of Springfield is keeping your mouth shut and listening. Aaron is a professional in that. He never talks out of turn and is a gentleman to work with. You can always assure you will know where his agency stands on an issue after talking with Aaron. The State and JB world are so lucky to have Aaron on their team!
- Halls of Shambala - Tuesday, Dec 16, 25 @ 3:46 pm:
Anna Koeppel (IDOL) approaches her work with rigor and attention to detail, never cuts corners, and consistently maintains a high level of professionalism, even when it is not reciprocated.
- StateGov4Life - Tuesday, Dec 16, 25 @ 4:14 pm:
Best Liaison: Marvin Williams, IDOC. Marvin has one of the most difficult agencies in Illinois. He works tirelessly to be responsive and improve the reputation of DOC. He is a selfless leader that has shown great poise when facing the fire from legislators, constituents, and advocacy groups.
Best Do-Gooder: Hands down, Khadine Bennet. Khadine is a staple in the Illinois Capitol. She is always welcoming and open to providing advice to younger lobbyists. Khadine is professional and exemplefies a level of integrity that everyone should seek to model.
- Harlem Shuffle - Tuesday, Dec 16, 25 @ 8:20 pm:
Liason- Samantha White, ISBE. Her heart for the students & schools are undeniable and it guides her decisions every day. She is a genuine pleasure to work with at the Capitol, and she knows how to get things done. We need more people like her with heart and purpose. Samantha works with everyone to get results, and always has a deep understanding of the task at hand. ISBE and the Governor are lucky to have her.
- Lobbyistman - Wednesday, Dec 17, 25 @ 7:30 am:
Best liaison — Kaitlyn Mitchum of IDOT. She closes the loop on every request from municipalities and lobbyists and responds quickly. She goes above and beyond.
Best do-goodoer — Mike Ziri of Equality Illinois. The guy works harder than any high-priced lobbyist. He’s the first one at the Capitol in the morning and the last one to leave.