* The 2025 Wordslinger Golden Horseshoe Award for Best CapitolFax.com Commenter goes to walker…

He usually pops up at just the right time with just the right inside perspective.

And…

I’m going to have to go with walker. I think Rich once said his readers want one spit take a day, walker is often the source of this for me.

* Congratulations to everyone who won this year…

Best Place to Gather for Dinner During Session Weeks: Vele

Best Place to Gather for Drinks, Etc. During Session Weeks: Saputo’s

Best Senate Republican Legislative Assistant/District Office Manager: Tara Horn and Tracy Weiters

Best Senate Democratic Legislative Assistant/District Office Manager: Trisha Ray

Best House Democratic Legislative Assistant/District Office Manager: Liz Moody

Best House Republican Legislative Assistant/District Office Manager: Amanda Daley and Brandy Loftus

Best Republican State Senate Staff Member: Nicole Besse

Best Democratic State Senate Staff Member: Maddie Wilkins

Best Republican State House Staff Member: Jayme Siemer

Best Democratic State House Staff Member: Madeline McCune

Best Statehouse-Related Public Relations Person: Ed Yohnka

Best State Government Spokesperson/Comms: Colleen King and Jon Maxson

Best Democratic Illinois State Representative: Eva Dina Delgado

Best Republican Illinois State Representative: Patrick Windhorst

Best Democratic Illinois State Senator: Robert Peters and Ram Villivalam

Best Republican Illinois State Senator: Seth Lewis

Best Contract Lobbyist: Marc Poulos and Elaine Nekritz

Best In-House Lobbyist: Sharlyn Grace

Best Legislative Liaison: Allison Nickrent at IDPH

Best Do-Gooder Lobbyist: Khadine Bennet and Kady McFadden

Best Statewide Staffer: Amanda Elliot

Best State Agency Director: Jane Flanagan at IDOL

Best Statewide Officer: Illinois Supreme Court Justice Mary Jane Theis

Best US Representative: Jan Schakowsky

Wordslinger Golden Horseshoe Award for Best CapitolFax.com Commenter: walker