* 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.