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Question of the day - Golden Horseshoe Awards

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Illinois

* The 2015 Judy Baar Topinka Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Statewide Officeholder had a crowd favorite with strong nominations…

Jesse White: Only because he reengineered and cleaned up an office that was infamous before him, for bad service to the public and corruption. Even now, I actually enjoy going to one of his facilities because it renews my faith in government. He is the best example of “government turnaround” we have.

I can’t be certain, of course, but I think JBT would’ve approved.

* On to today’s categories…

* The Mark Beaubien Lifetime Service award for the Illinois House

* The John Millner Lifetime Service award for the Illinois Senate

As always, please explain your nominations or they won’t count. Thanks!

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Dec 11, 15 @ 11:17 am

Comments

Wow this is all off to a very slow start today
Too much 3rd House? Too much SuperStarLoopin’?
The MarkBo Award should go to the Dunkin’ ’cause he has seen his life flash in front of him for the double cross of all the child care kids.
The Millner Medal ought to be handed to John Sullivan for his very successful work on makin’ Forgotonia into the tourism, industrial and intellectual mecca of the Midwest. Hats off to JS!
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Comment by Anonin" Friday, Dec 11, 15 @ 11:32 am
The Beaubien - Frank Mautino for dedicated service, hard work, the love for doing the work of the people of Illinois while maintaining a pleasant demeanor.

The Millner - A tie, hey, Rich did it, Dave Luechtefeld and John Sullivan both straight shooters, even tempered honorable guys. Both exhibited a lot of common sense while maintaining the characteristics, regardless of party affiliation, of their districts.

All three were a pleasure to work with.

Comment by nadia Friday, Dec 11, 15 @ 11:36 am
Beaubien - Eddy Sullivan. He crossed the aisle on marriage equality and other issues. Great floor debate and stand up guy. He will be so missed.

Millner - Dave Luechtefeld. Hands down, Coach is my favorite Senator. He is beyond honest and votes his district. Heck of a nice guy as well!

Comment by SWF Friday, Dec 11, 15 @ 11:43 am
The very titles of these awards, i.e., “Lifetime Service,” screams the need for term limits. /s
But within the confines of the GA world, I agree with nominating Mautino and Luechtefeld. Both seemed straightforward and gave feedback that was honest and insightful. Visits with either of them always left me feeling I had learned something useful.

Comment by My New Handle Friday, Dec 11, 15 @ 12:33 pm
Avery Bourne in the House, and Chuck Weaver in the Senate.

Governor Rauner has given them the opportunity of a lifetime, plucking them from obscurity and dropping them into safe legislative seats with no opposition. I haven’t met either, but I am nominating them in the hope that they will at least do some research and find out a little bit about why Mark Beaubien and John Millner were honored by having this award given in their names.

If they spend just a few minutes before each vote asking themselves, “how would Beaubien or Millner vote on this?” then they have a chance at winning this for real some day, and earning some respect in the process.

People like Bruce Rauner come and go. The General Assembly is an institution that endures, so I’d hope that Rep. Bourne and Sen. Weaver would keep that in mind when the tough votes come along (and they will).

Comment by 47th Ward Friday, Dec 11, 15 @ 12:51 pm
The Mark Beaubien Lifetime Service award for the Illinois House

To be very honest, this member had already locked my Beaubien Lifetime Horseshoe up the moment he placed his name for Auditor General. The mere fact, for me, that him leaving and his place in the Democratic House Caucus and the Chamber made me end discussion on the matter, that’s not an accident.

I nominate Frank Mautino for The Mark Beaubien Lifetime Service award for the Illinois House.

Frank Mautino as a member in the House could probably tell you story after story about who this award is name after, and never suspect, if you didn’t know better, they were of opposing parties. Frank Mautino as a member had the respect of his own party’s hierarchy while being able to look across the aisle and honestly talk to an “opposing” party member and find common ground to work together like colleagues should, for a better Illinois.

Frank Mautino’s love of state and his way of searching for what’s best made him in the House part of the “do the doable” crowd, but not abandoning his own principles, or asking others to abandon theirs. In the House, as a Chairman, he thoughtfully, almost methodically, in a nonchalant way mind you, did the task of Chairman looking to be moving Illinois, as opposed to grinding the gears we all see far too often.

I nominate Rep. Frank Mautino for The Mark Beaubien Lifetime Service award for the Illinois House not in any melancholy way, but proudly and with a “job well done”, with my eyes now looking forward to Auditor General Mautino, bringing with him what made him such a great House member.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 11, 15 @ 1:32 pm
(A knowing nod to - 47th Ward -)

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 11, 15 @ 1:35 pm
In the House: can it be posthumous? Esther Golar served her district and the House unselfishly up to her dying breath. The historic 10 years in which she served should be considered a lifetime.

In the Senate: as the retiring Senator from Western Illinois, John Sullivan has quietly and graciously served his geographically large district in an understated but effective manner. He will be missed and deserves the honor.

Comment by Jeb! Friday, Dec 11, 15 @ 1:41 pm
I could spend a day reciting the virtues of Frank Mautino, but there is a gentleman from the other side of the aisle whose character and accomplishments across three decades is no less deserving of praise and perhaps more so: Raymond Poe.

Poe has been an unrepentant champion of the nearly 1 million Illinoisans either paying into a public retirement system or receiving benefits, even as his party has become more and more hostile toward public servants.

Yet none would call him a RINO, as he represents the social and fiscally conservatism of his constituents well, but he also does so with out the rhetorical excesses that splash conservatives’ names across the Internet, earn them rock star status from extremists, and lead to prolific campaign chests and even bigger ambitions.

Poe is well liked and well respected on both sides of the aisle because he greets and treats everyone as a friend. He’s been a champion for agriculture, fought for Sangamon County, and will continue to do both and earn praise in his new role.

If he has any counterpart in the Senate on the GOP side of the aisle, it’s Chapin Rose, but I’d like to nominate someone whose lifetime of achievement is far from over but whose legislative record this far outshines the rest by far: Keame Raoul.

There is a reason why Senate President John Cullertom turns to Kwame to spearhead big legislation, and once again Kwame did not disappoint.

In the wake of Ferguson, 46 states considered police body camera legislation, but only six states managed to enact changes. In Illinois, the fate of body camera legislation was never in doubt, despite despite strong opposition and failure in other states, thanks to Raoul’s leadership.

At this point in his career, I think it’s safe to say that Raoul has surpassed his predecessor in the Senate. And he’s just getting started.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Friday, Dec 11, 15 @ 1:45 pm
For the John Milner Lifetime Service Award =

And at the risk of repeating a nomination from several days ago, this is probably a more appropriate nomination.

I have known of Sen. Dave Luechtefeld since the mid 60’s when he was coaching at a rival high school and got to know him much better when I moved back to the district he was appointed to represent. I recall the first time we had a chance to talk. It was probably very obvious to him that I did not accept some of his strongly held conservative principles yet before I left he made certain that I had his personal cell number and told me to use it any time. I have tried never to abuse that privilege, yet he always returns my calls, once even after 9 pm on a Sunday.

He was always accessible and willing to listen. He, on occasion vented some of his frustrations to me as I was doing with him. We could honestly disagree but we always shook hands and left as friends. He understood my concerns and my “hot button” issues, yet he was never disrespectful.

Sen Dave represented his constituents well. His demeanor, commitments and principles ( even when we might disagree ) will be missed in the next GA.

Comment by illini Friday, Dec 11, 15 @ 1:52 pm
47th Ward - maybe a little “tongue in cheek” and a little bit of snark, but well stated.

Comment by illini Friday, Dec 11, 15 @ 1:57 pm
Few legislators would make the decision that Esther Golar made. She knew her life was on the line and she made the untenable commute via car to Springfield because she cared so deeply for the constituents of this state. I can think of no greater person to honor with a lifetime achievement award than someone who was willing to give their life to this job.

Comment by Anonymous Friday, Dec 11, 15 @ 1:57 pm
Few legislators would make the decision that Esther Golar made. She knew her life was on the line and she made the untenable commute via car to Springfield because she cared so deeply for the constituents of this state. I am think of no greater person to honor with a lifetime achievement award than someone who was willing to give their life to this job.

Comment by Land of Lincoln Friday, Dec 11, 15 @ 1:59 pm
The John Millner Lifetime Service award for the Illinois Senate

With this award I find myself looking at members that were the ones I knew did the work and were thoughtful enough to look at the other side of an issue and could disagree without being disagreeable and had the type of career that both allies and “foes” could say, “He (or she) has my respect and I’m glad I got to work with them, no matter how it turns out.”

One is leaving the Illinois Senate that by stature of size and presence, left his mark, in civility, principles, and integrity and served his district and state admirably, while being a strong supporter of his on principles abd veiled.

I nominate Sen. Dave Luechtefeld.

“Coach” lived up to that well deserved title serving in the Senate. He was leader, learning and teaching, and willing to make his case and be principled, while having that open mind all coaches have. There was never a time that Dave Luechtefeld hadn’t earned the titles of “Coach” or Senator during his time in the General Assembly. The affection felt for him, with either title, was a testament to how he conducted himself and the respect he earned from us all.

Sen. Dave Luechtefeld will be missed, but we are all better off seeing the example he has been, by just being who he is, and Illinois should be thankful they had such an amazing coach working for her and cheering her on in the Illinois Senate.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 11, 15 @ 1:59 pm
I agree with Senator Luechtefeld

For the House Ed Sullivan

Comment by Downstate Hack Friday, Dec 11, 15 @ 2:18 pm
House: Rep. Esther Golar, who died with her boots on

Senate: Sen. John Sullivan, Mr. Western Illinois, a gentleman farmer and statesman who is probably the only Democrat who could hold that district because he’s taken the trouble and put the miles on his car to meet every constituent possible and earn their trust, one at a time

Comment by Commander Norton Friday, Dec 11, 15 @ 2:23 pm
“One is leaving the Illinois Senate that by stature of size and presence, left his mark, in civility, principles, and integrity and served his district and state admirably, while being a strong supporter of his on principles and beliefs.”

Apologies.

Comment by Oswego Willy Friday, Dec 11, 15 @ 2:23 pm
Frank Mautino because his body of work is impressive.

John Sullivan in the Senate. He is a stand up member who is honest, hard working, and get’s along with about everyone. He brought a unique point of view to Springfield, and it will be missed.

Comment by Rahm'sMiddleFinger Friday, Dec 11, 15 @ 3:34 pm
I appreciate two votes Ed Sullivan cast contrary to most of his caucus: for marriage equality and for abolition of the death penalty. In an era when partisanship is extreme, it’s good to see someone who could think for himself once in a while.

Comment by nona Friday, Dec 11, 15 @ 7:42 pm
Can’t deny the 4 DECADES of service in the House by Mike Madigan - every election every 2 years he is te- elected and shapes the very direction and destiny of the House and the state of Illinois. By virtue of his tenure and power his service is without equal.

Comment by Mcleaniac Friday, Dec 11, 15 @ 7:49 pm
Definitely Don Moffitt. A gentleman who always listened first and talked last. A family man with a deep faith and was so in touch with his constituents. He was my Rep and he was everywhere. Parades, county fairs. farm events, police and fire, schools, etc. Did a great job losing weight and encouraging others in a positive way to do so. Did so much to get resources back to the volunteer fire departments in his district for their safety and that of the people they served. He worked well and collaboratively across the aisle too while keeping core Republican principles.. He will be missed.

Comment by Jon Zahm Sunday, Dec 13, 15 @ 11:48 pm