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Question of the day - Golden Horseshoe Awards

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Illinois

* Emily Miller chooses the Golden Horseshoe Award for best political restaurant…

I’ve spent more time at Alexander’s this year than any other year, and there are always heavy hitters dining alongside tables of local families. It’s a nice change of pace to venture off campus and be with real people.

It has, indeed, become a non-sandbox session hangout. Even MJM occasionally dines there.

* The Golden Horseshoe Award for best Statehouse bar goes to Boones Saloon…

Boones is the best Springfield bar. There is always a crowd of characters and you are guaranteed a good night after a long stressful day at the Capitol.

* Unless I hear any real objections, I think we need to name the Golden Horseshoe Award for best bartender/waiter/waitress after this year’s winner…

Kathleen at the Globe. Has my drink ready when I walk in and handles the shenanigans that occur with the biggest smile on her face.

Honorable mention to Alisha Kulek at the Butternut Hut.

* Today’s Golden Horseshoe categories are…

* The Beth Hamilton Golden Horseshoe Award for Best House Secretary/Admin. Assistant

* Best Senate Secretary/Admin. Assistant

Remember that these awards are based on the intensity of your nominations, so please explain your votes. Also, please do your best to nominate in both categories. Thanks!

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Dec 2, 15 @ 10:34 am

Comments

House: Carol, BFC’s admin. assistant. I don’t care what kind of day you are having or what is melting down on your legislative agenda, Carol will make it seem you are the most important in the Statehouse and your issue the most important.

She handles a parade of lobbyist and agency staff coming and going and never, ever gets rattled or fails to treat everyone with respect no matter what is going on around her.

Senate: Cheryl Sakris, Allthoff’s assistant is the “protype” of what a legislative assistant should be. Between keeping her Senator in the right place at the right time, to making everyone feel at ease even on bad days, Cheryl is gift to everyone she encounters. A real Pro.

Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, Dec 2, 15 @ 10:48 am
Senate: Robin Gragg is unfailingly pleasant and helpful in her traffic-cop role at the antechamber to SenDem leadership offices. Some days, there are 15 people milling about in that tiny space, making demands, etc, and it never seems to faze Robin.

House: Friendly and professional do not begin to describe Carol Shehorn in the Currie/Feigenholtz office. Her bosses’ prominence brings her an avalanche of calls, requests, and appointments, yet I’ve never seen her harried or in a bad mood. Can we please clone Carol?

Comment by Linus Wednesday, Dec 2, 15 @ 10:57 am
House - have to echo the recommendation for Carol Shehorn. She handles a pretty significant workload for two leaders (Feigenholtz and Currie) and never seems frazzled or too busy to help you with whatever you need. Nicest lady in the Statehouse, and the most competent Secretary I’ve ever worked with.

Comment by pizza rat Wednesday, Dec 2, 15 @ 11:18 am
Kristin Milligan hands down!

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Dec 2, 15 @ 11:23 am
Senate- Robin Gragg. from my first day as a staffer, to working for an agency to being a lobbyist there is no one who consistantly goes out of there way to make every seem important.

Comment by Spliff Wednesday, Dec 2, 15 @ 11:30 am
Senate: I’d like to nominate Paige Windgassen, who is incredibly hard working. She seems to always be friendly and on top of things, which can’t be easy considering who she staffs . . .

Comment by Miss Marie Wednesday, Dec 2, 15 @ 11:31 am
Senate: Judy Dowis is incredibly organized and on top of things. Whenever I call her with a question, she always gets back to me.

Comment by Sith Lord Rauner Wednesday, Dec 2, 15 @ 11:37 am
Liz Moody

Carrying on the spirit of Beth Hamilton (they shared an office for years together), Liz Moody has staffed some of the most diverse members of the general assembly - who are in leadership and come from minority caucuses. She is as polite and funny as one can be while putting up with all the capitol crazies. I have tried to get her on a bad day and she just wont crack. On a good day you can learn about here rock n roll past.

Comment by Bradley.J.Tusk Wednesday, Dec 2, 15 @ 11:42 am
Bobbi Drew
She worked for Representive Turner for years .She currently works for Representives Jones and Mayfield. Bobbi is always smart, ,professional,helpful and informative.

Robin Gragg is one of hardest working people in the building in a trying location.

Comment by Metro East Boy Wednesday, Dec 2, 15 @ 12:38 pm
My vote in the house is for Kristin Milligan. She is consistently extending compassion and encouragement when we need it. She knows exactly what to do when we ask her for help. Her dedication and commitment to her job is one of the main reasons she needs to be acknowledged. She is there for us 100%, even when our requests are petty or selfish. Kristin, We know the amount of effort that you put into your job. We also know that sometimes during the chaos of session we may not show our appreciation as effectively as we should. So, from all of us, Thank you for all you do!

Comment by State Wednesday, Dec 2, 15 @ 1:19 pm
Nancy Hill (senate) combines friendliness, professionalism, and efficiency and should be considered the gold standard that all other legislative assistants are measured.

Comment by Flyer Wednesday, Dec 2, 15 @ 1:31 pm
I’ll had a 2nd (or 5th or 8th or wherever it is at at this point) for both Robin Gragg and Cheryl Sakris. Two excellent, friendly professionals that absolutely deserve to be honored.

Comment by AlabamaShake Wednesday, Dec 2, 15 @ 1:38 pm
She’s not in the House anymore, but Stacey Bishop (who was Rep. Poe’s old House staffer) gets my vote. She did a TON for Rep. Poe while he was out of the state and dealing with serious medical problems.

In the Senate, my support is split between Robin Gragg and Mary Lou Frank. Both ladies are nice, sweet and super awesome. Their offices would be much less bright if neither were there.

Comment by Team Sleep Wednesday, Dec 2, 15 @ 2:02 pm
House- Judi Serra because she deals with all of the downstate caucus needs with a smile on her face.

Comment by NIMBY Wednesday, Dec 2, 15 @ 2:58 pm
I’ll second two previous nominations:

Bobbi Drew (House) is top notch. She has a tough assignment, but doesn’t let it show. Always a pro.

Didn’t think of her at first, but I’m glad to see Nancy Hill get a mention. She’s got her senator’s back (Cunningham) but always makes sure I get in to see him. A classy operator who should be put in charge of training all new assistants.

Comment by J.M. Wednesday, Dec 2, 15 @ 3:18 pm
Has Robin ever won this thing? Someone tell me yes! There’s truly no one kinder, more helpful and can make you laugh at the drop of a hat. She’s just the best they come, in terms of LAs, and in terms of earthlings. Robin! Robin! Robin!

Comment by PHJ Wednesday, Dec 2, 15 @ 3:27 pm
I would like to nominate Emily Ozier. She is always pleasant and courteous and knows her stuff. Makes everyone feel welcome.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Dec 2, 15 @ 3:28 pm
For the Senate–Pam Elliott. She is so nice and on top of things.

Comment by Lottery Winning Hostages Wednesday, Dec 2, 15 @ 3:32 pm
House: Judi Serra is one of the nicest ladies I’ve had the pleasure of coming across. Very helpful, and always hospitable.

Senate: Robin Gragg is an exceptional lady. From the moment I met her she was all smiles, and is one of the most pleasant people in the Capitol. If she hasn’t won it before, she certainly should this year.

Comment by The Muse Wednesday, Dec 2, 15 @ 4:15 pm
Carol Shehorn and Bobbi Drew is the best
Some year we should this category so Lee Crawford can win an award

We find the Senate very scary place so we cannot pick anyone there although we are sure all are very nice.

Comment by Anonin' Wednesday, Dec 2, 15 @ 4:21 pm
Many of my picks have been nominated above, and most of them are on the Senate side: Cheryl Sakris - she’s absolutely the best. Robin Gragg, again, she is the nicest person and always willing to help everyone that comes in. Patty Williams in McGuire’s office is a true pro, and also a shout out to Melissa in Trotter’s office. She keeps things up there running!

Comment by Non non Wednesday, Dec 2, 15 @ 5:35 pm
House - Kristin Milligan. Great to work with and nothing seems to stress her out, even in a high-traffic office.

Senate - Lisa with Mulroe. She is beyond pleasant, gets every request directly to get Senator, and always offers coffee!!

Comment by SWF Wednesday, Dec 2, 15 @ 6:32 pm
House- Kelly Large who works for Leader Mautino. Her office is the satellite office for many lobbyist and staffers. During Mautino’s illness she stayed on top of his legislation and provides excellent constituent service.

Comment by Insurance guy Wednesday, Dec 2, 15 @ 7:09 pm
House - Kristin Milligan! I thought this award would be named after her by now. Who else could handle not only Skip, but Eddy. Not to mention all of the other legislators and lobbyists who depend on her for everything from scheduling information, inside information, copies, coffee, lunch to help locating other legislators/lobbyists. To say the least Kristin is a jack of all trades. I don’t think half of the GA could survive without her. She’s definitely the House mom.

Senate - Cheryl Sakris! She is one of the sweetest people in the Capitol and always goes above and beyond to help.

Comment by Jerry Wednesday, Dec 2, 15 @ 8:54 pm
Kristin Milligan, because she has to deal with every birthday cake and all-House luncheon and the end of session party. She never gets flustered. She’s my pick!

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Dec 3, 15 @ 8:32 am
Senate - Lisa Katava! I think she’s won before but she deserves another mention. She’s one the the kindest, most thoughtful people I have ever encountered. She’s so easy to work with, which makes Sen. Mulroe even easier to work with (not that he’s at all difficult!). She’s extremely welcoming and has a lot of class. She does a lot more than her job requires and puts up with a lot to do it.

Comment by Liberal Lady Thursday, Dec 3, 15 @ 8:42 am
I agree Nancy Hill is a hard worker and very professional. Not only does she have to keep track of the Senator and his meetings, she has to serve as guide to all the groups that come through 1M and stop at her desk for directions!!! A great & fun lady to have in the Senate.

Comment by Merry Christmas Thursday, Dec 3, 15 @ 8:55 am
I’m sure she’s won before, but she’s so great I wanted to nominate her again–Robin Gragg for the Senate side. I don’t know how she does it. She has to have one of the most stressful jobs, but she’s always so nice to everyone!

Comment by Rauner was in Slytherin Thursday, Dec 3, 15 @ 8:57 am
In the Senate, Nancy Hill, legislative assistant for Sen. Bill Cunningham. She’s professional, organizeed, efficient, kind, caring, and a wonderful person. She also made Ed Maloney look good for 10 years, therefore she’s a saint.

Comment by DJSev Monday, Dec 7, 15 @ 12:22 pm