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Gross, Phelon leaving SDem staff

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Illinois

* I told subscribers about this earlier in the week. Here’s Bernie…

DAVE GROSS of Jacksonville, chief of staff to Senate President JOHN CULLERTON, D-Chicago, is leaving that post to go into political consulting and lobbying.

“It’s going to be interesting,” Gross told me. “It’s going to be challenging, and I’m excited about it. The president’s been great about this, and I’m looking forward to trying my hand at it.” […]

Also leaving the Senate Democratic staff is RIKEESHA PHELON, 38, who has been press secretary to Cullerton since 2009. She is forming her own company, Phelon Public Strategies.

Phelon, who will not be a lobbyist, said she can help her clients with a mix of knowledge of “what’s going on under the dome,” combined with “Chicago media reach.”

Those are two top-notch people. Phelon is a particular favorite on the blog, winning a Golden Horseshoe Award last month.

* Tribune…

Cullerton, in turn, took to the microphone to note the departure of his spokeswoman Rikeesha Phelon, who is leaving state government to start a consulting firm.

“She’s the one who says the things I need to say, but says them better than I do,” said Cullerton, who is known for his sarcastic sense of humor that can sometimes get him in trouble.

Yep.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 9:18 am

Comments

Is there something to be concerned here with or is this just a fluke that both are leaving at the same time. When people leave during a campaign it’s usually seen as a bad sign. Learner question.

Comment by Honeybear Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 9:22 am
Why does he need a press secretary?

Comment by BobH Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 9:26 am
Not Rikeesha! Love her stuff!

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 9:26 am
===Phelon is a particular favorite on the blog, winning a Golden Horseshoe Award last month.===

She’s tops. Was thrilled she won this year and her work product and skill made her beyond worthy.

Rikeesha Phelon, I wish you all the best and continued success in your next chapter.

OW

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 9:27 am
All the best to Dave Gross too who has done an exceptional job and I’m sure he will be even more successful as his talents are sought on the open market

Good luck,

OW

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 9:31 am
Favorite Phelon quote.

Context: A day after Gov. Rauner said he could solve all the state’s problems if he could just work with Emanuel and Cullerton (and not Madigan), he turned on Cullerton and said he was the problem.

–Cullerton’s spokesperson Rikeesha Phelon reacts to Gov. Rauner’s apparent flip-flop from yesterday…

Oh. Now I’m sad. I thought we were friends. Bummer.–

https://capitolfax.com/2015/07/22/rauner-bashes-cullerton/

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 9:34 am
I guess it is the logical next step, but trading on the relationships you built working on government to get special interest groups more access to politicians doesn’t seem healthy. Good for them, but I’m not sure anyone should celebrate in general.

Comment by NoGifts Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 9:34 am
=== I guess it is the logical next step, but trading on the relationships you built working on government to get special interest groups more access to politicians doesn’t seem healthy. Good for them, but I’m not sure anyone should celebrate in general. ===

So what you are saying is that we should ban lobbyists.

Comment by Anonymouth Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 9:39 am
Word - That was a killer response to the frat boys. She’s been on point for the last year.

Sad to see her go.

Comment by Dee Lay Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 9:42 am
Both are pros and have been great to work with.

“I guess it is the logical next step, but trading on the relationships you built working on government to get special interest groups more access to politicians doesn’t seem healthy”

Statements like the above drive me nuts. The world of public policy has to be the only field where knowledge of your subject matter is viewed as a negative. Would you got to doctor or attorney who had no background of their field of work. People with legislative experience are hired because they understand the legislative process and know how to get things accomplished. Too many people think lobbyist just stand around and hand out checks and nothing more. Not everyone who leaves state government or the General Assembly is crook.

Comment by Give Me A Break Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 9:45 am
Good luck to both. She will especially be missed because she had more exposure. Good for both of them pursuing their next challenge. They’re both extraordinarily talented people. They’ve created opportunities for someone else now. Well done!

Comment by A guy Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 9:56 am
Sending the experienced hired guns out to battle Rauner money downstate? I think so.

Comment by Liberty Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 10:08 am
“Oh. Now I’m sad. I thought we were friends. Bummer.–”

Doesn’t get more sarcastically funny than that.

Comment by Cubs in '16 Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 10:17 am
Rikeesha is fabulous.

Comment by Soccermom Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 10:50 am
Someone please explain how the revolving door law allows this to happen. No knock on the individual involved but to go directly from working for the he GA to lobbying the GA seems to violate the spirit of that law.

Comment by Joe Biden Was Here Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 11:22 am
Losing so much talent at a time like this won’t help.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 11:44 am
I know Dave, and only know of Rikeesha by her work. Both are quality people. They will be missed.

Comment by Norseman Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 11:48 am
Good luck to both! David Gross was awesome to work with.

Comment by Latina Lawyer Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 11:55 am
Joe Biden: I could wrong, but having gone through the revolving door ext process, it does not apply to staff of the General Assembly.

Comment by Give Me A Break Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:03 pm
Dave is a class act. He could always do his job extraordinarily well without resorting to scorched earth tactics when dealing with those on the opposite side. Wish him nothing but the best!

Comment by Sarge Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:39 pm
Thank you both for your service.

Comment by Barton Lorimor Thursday, Jan 14, 16 @ 12:58 pm