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* UPDATED x1 * Question of the day - Golden Horseshoe Awards

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* The 2015 Emily Miller Golden Horseshoe Award for Best “Do-Gooder” Lobbyist was an easy pick…

Josh Evans, Vice President of Government Relations at IARF. He is a tireless champion for community-based, health reform and has the most extensive knowledge of rules, procedures, and policies out of anyone I have ever known. Josh knows that if we don’t hold government accountable for serving its most vulnerable citizens, we will be taken back to living in a Dickensian era. Community providers are lucky to have him fighting in their corner.

Agreed.

* Now, on to today’s categories…

* Best Statewide Officeholder

* Best Illinois Congresscritter

As always, do your very best to nominate in both categories and make sure to explain your vote, or it won’t count. Thanks!

*** UPDATE *** Oops! I already did the statewide award. I guess I’m still tired from yesterday’s trip. Sorry!

Let’s try this one instead…

* The Mike McClain Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Statehouse Insider

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Dec 17, 15 @ 8:30 am

Comments

I saw this comment yesterday on the Golden Horseshoe post and thought capfax could benefit from a repost:

“Rich, You should consider an award for best legislative support agency staffer (LRB, LRU, LPU, LIS). Those people work hard and often work overtime helping legislators, staff, and lobbyists with research, drafting, and tech help. They rarely, if ever, get any credit for the good work that they do. Just a suggestion.”

Comment by Missing G Thursday, Dec 17, 15 @ 8:44 am
Best Statewide Officeholder - Jesse White
White showed how to reform a statewide office, improve it, make it work better, and be humble about it. White followed the scandal-ridden Ryan, but instead of being a hack like the other statewide official following the scandal-ridden Ryan, (Blagojevich), showed us all how to fix our political offices right.

Best Illinois Congresscritter Adam Kinzinger
Sometimes it really helps to elect veterans into political office who are young, energetic and patriotic. As we face new terrorism threats, Kinzinger serves in Congressional Committees and shows his fellow Republicans how to be moderate, brave and calm. He has surprised many as he has avoided the easy populist Washington jargon common to so many of his fellow Republicans, and has used his expertise on military issues as a brake for many GOP extremists. Kinzinger has definitely exceeded expectations and is an asset for the politically moderate Illinois in the GOP dominated Congress.

Comment by VanillaMan Thursday, Dec 17, 15 @ 8:58 am
Congress critter? Robert Dold (R-10th). Very accessible and focused on representing his district, a far cry from Brad Schneider, who mostly kept to little focus groups.

Comment by Louis G Atsaves Thursday, Dec 17, 15 @ 9:03 am
John Lowder deserves consideration of the McClain award. John is most knowledgeable of the process and inner dealing of statehouse policy and Budget development and strategy. He is always willing to share his insights. Has made the transformation from staff to contract lobbying with ease with great respect for the actors on both sides of the aisle as well as the press. He’ll be around for a long time.

Comment by Just Saying .... Thursday, Dec 17, 15 @ 9:10 am
Luking. Still missed.

Comment by LizPhairTax Thursday, Dec 17, 15 @ 9:42 am
Dold definitely the best congress critter. More knowledgeable than most, works his tail off, truly centrist, no media glommer, and a down-to-earth, regular guy.

Comment by Adam Smith Thursday, Dec 17, 15 @ 9:57 am
Not sure what this is, but my nominee is Rich Miller ! For all the info he gets for people interested in the workings of IL govt & politics. Way to go, Rich !!!

Comment by sal-says Thursday, Dec 17, 15 @ 10:46 am
Congresscritter: Dick Durbin. We might disagree with all kinds of policies and statements by any Congressperson, but when it comes to constituent service, Durbin’s office is outstanding. I have friends with veterans’/VA issues that neither Kirk nor any US House Rep handled or even responded to completely. I referred to Durbin and they got quick, clear answers. Same with problems with bureaucracy, and other Federal issues. Durbin is always where to go if no one else helps. When all is said and done, helping people is important in these jobs.

Comment by walker Thursday, Dec 17, 15 @ 10:58 am
Congresscritter: I vote for Shimkus. He plays well with the other kids and is not bogged down in party ideology. A good, by-partisan politician.

Best statehouse insider: Jeff Glass. He quietly gets it done, and has the ear of all the leaders. His advice matters.

Comment by Colin O'Scopey Thursday, Dec 17, 15 @ 11:01 am
Dang, I meant bi-partisan…..

Comment by Colin O'Scopey Thursday, Dec 17, 15 @ 11:02 am
Schawkosky - regardless of her politics she is tough & honest and I’d want her on my side in a legislative battle.

John Lowder - if you’ve talked very long with him you’ll find out he understands and knows a lot about the inner workings of the state house.

Comment by nadia Thursday, Dec 17, 15 @ 12:15 pm
Colin O’ - you must be describing a different John Shimkus than the one I know, but you are certainly entitled to making your nomination.

Comment by illini Thursday, Dec 17, 15 @ 12:33 pm
Best Congresscritter

Rodney Davis… I mean he has his own Rodney Davis caucus in the Illinois House (Butler & Bourne).

In all seriousness, he has been able to win 2 straight times with the DCCC targeting him and in 14 it was not even close. He is a moderate Republican who votes his district and works his district.Without JBT around, he also was the first (and I believe only so far) Republican to criticize the Governor’s attack on public sector unions.

Comment by Whooo Thursday, Dec 17, 15 @ 2:59 pm
Dr. Elaine Johnso - she is smart and knows everybody

Comment by Flyer Thursday, Dec 17, 15 @ 3:59 pm
I may be too late on this and if I am so be it. But I would like to put a little slant on the “insider” category. I nominate George Hovanec. Very few are more respected than George and when he talks, everyone (regardless of party or power) listens. George has the best budget mind in the state and his expertise in Medicaid is unprecedented. You won’t find George hanging out on the rail or at receptions. His credibility comes from his knowledge and reputation. And only those on the inside really know what he does and is capable of. George is truly a man on the inside.

Comment by Eastside Friday, Dec 18, 15 @ 7:52 am