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There was one category I inadvertently neglected in our annual awards, so I’m reopening the contest today. [Now there are two categories for your commenting enjoyment]
* Best legislative secretary
* Best district office administrator
As always, please explain your answers as much as possible.
*** UPDATE *** Notice that I’ve changed this to two categories. These are distinctly different jobs, so let’s give two awards instead of one.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 10:30 am
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Janie in Sen. Kotowski’s district office.
Comment by Peace to all Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 10:32 am
Explain, please.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 10:35 am
Sorry Rich, that should have been under my name. Old blog nickname.
Janie has just done a great job with outreach in the community with local events as well has having a great volunteer presence with students from the local high schools.
Comment by Aaron Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 10:37 am
Nora from Jay Hoffman’s Springfield office. Can you imagine the schedules and requests she has to deal with? All the while keeping a great attitude. She’s the best!
Comment by sine die Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 10:37 am
Joann Sullivan - Speaker’s Office
Talk about someone that keeps a GREAT attitude and has to constantly work very early and very late hours and deal with egos and filter hate phone calls from other offices. Oh my and deal with Mapes. Hats off to Joann.
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 10:44 am
carlos estes, in connie howard’s office. he really has a handle on the needs of her district and looks after her. he seems to have the system down for getting records expunged, a virtual requirement for reintegration in the southside. he runs a much bigger office than most district’s, just because connie has fingers in so many pies. both do admirable work that should be recognized…
Comment by bored now Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 11:00 am
Got another one. Aviva Gibbs, works for State Rep. Fritchey. That should be enough to win the award.
Comment by Aaron Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 11:08 am
Questions to Bored Now….is that the same Carlos Estes who fought off the advances of the DHS Chief of Staff in a Springfield hotel room?
Comment by Former State Employee Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 11:16 am
Best leg. Assistant- Pat Locker…becasue she is Pat Locker
Comment by grad student Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 11:17 am
Bar none, Pat Locker is the best legislative assistant in the building. Pat’s forgotten more about the legislative process than most will ever learn. Without a doubt, Pat Locker is the best legislative assistant in Springfield.
After more than 30 years of faithful service to the public, Pat Locker is more than worthy of this high honor.
Comment by Sen. Mike Jacobs Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 11:21 am
Joann Sullivan Speaker’s office wins hands down - even when she’s telling you “no” or to go away, she does it with a smile and makes you feel like a human being. She’s also exceptionally good at remembering people’s names and faces. Many statehouse assistants are not so polite. A close second goes to Donne Trotter’s assistant who will bend over backwards to help you and she’s very friendly, despite having to work for a demanding Senator (my description not hers).
District office: The empty desk and remotely answered table top phone in Sen. Schoenberg / Rep. Hamos’s office can’t be beat.
Comment by beavis Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 11:22 am
Brian Curtin, the young COS for Greg Harris, has always been friendly and helpful when I have contacted him on various ward or district issues. He is a man with much passion for his job and for government, and stays very active in the community
Thanks Brian
Comment by James Gatz Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 11:41 am
another tip of the hat to Aviva in Rep. Fritchey’s chgo office. we’ve given him plenty of hell on prop taxes, and when He’s is in session, she can always talk straight and answer questions VERY intelligently. go girl!!
Comment by in the district Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 11:42 am
Justin Cajindos (State Senator Mike Frerichs) is the best district office administrator. Worked with him for almost two years and no one is more hardworking and in touch with the community than Cajindos. He motivates volunteers to help out to make sure the needs of Frerichs constituents are met. A real rising star…
Comment by EJW Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 11:50 am
tracy in pat lindners office…not only is the fox valley losing a great legislature, but most certainly tracy will go another direction as well-shes is always more than helpful
Comment by Cool Guy P Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 11:57 am
Beth in Rep. Schmitz’s office has always been kind and helpful to me in the past. She may not always be able to get what I need, but she never said she wouldnt try.
Comment by The Pug is on the Prowl Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 11:58 am
Oh there are too many to count.
Marcia Simmons/Munoz - Best Smile and friendliest asst. in the Capitol
Bunny Fourez/Link - How can you not love someone named Bunny!?! She is the sweetest lady I know.
Judy Dowis/Crotty - If you need a number or contact she’s the one to call. Great laugh too!
Beth Hamilton/Lang - One great lady who has a voice that would make any man blush! LOL
Comment by Too Many To Mention Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 12:00 pm
And yes I agree with Senator Jacobs - Pat Locker is one of the best and definitely one of the most organized individuals I know. If you need something from 1979 chances are she has it filed somewhere.
Comment by Too Many To Mention Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 12:05 pm
Beth in Rep. Schmitz office. She will go above and beyond on constituent issues, knows the district very well, and is the all around nicest person in the biz.
Comment by elephant in the room Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 12:17 pm
Beth from Rep. Tim Schmitz office gets my vote for best district office administrator. Extremely organized and very helpful. It also doesn’t hurt that she is easy on the eyes.
Comment by Beerman Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 1:05 pm
Carol Claine- District Office Administrator of Mike Bost
She knows every bit of the ins and outs of running a district office. She knows the district well, and serves the constituents of the area greatly. A true professional!
Comment by So IL Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 1:15 pm
Joann Sullivan. Everyone knows that Madigan is the hardest working person in the General Assembly, and the only person in this building who can even come close to him is the person sitting outside his office all day, every day. She does it all with a style and smile that can’t be matched. Behind every great man is a woman, and behind the Speaker is Joann.
Honorable mentions should go to Beth Hamilton.
Comment by anon Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 1:15 pm
Beth from Rep Schmitz’ office is great. Knows her stuff. Plus she’s hot.
Comment by Average GOP Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 1:20 pm
Joanne from the Speaker’s office.
Comment by the best is.... Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 1:24 pm
Best district office administrator - Jake Smallhorn from Representative Franks office. He’s talented and on top of things.
Comment by ANON Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 1:25 pm
Joann Sullivan knows more about the State House than just about anyone in the building. Solves a lot of problems and mentors many, many people
Now let’s see if Capt. Fax provides a straight count
Comment by Reddbyrd Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 1:30 pm
Beth, from Schmitz office. Best Administrator. Brains and Beauty.
Comment by Elephant Man Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 1:38 pm
JoAnn Sullivan should win, hands down. Think about it–would you want that job? She personifies grace under fire.
Comment by Former House Employee Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 1:56 pm
Beth from Rep. Schmitz’s office. Hands down. Knows her stuff & is nice too. Someone said it earlier, “Brains and Beauty”.
Comment by McLovin Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 2:08 pm
I agree. Rep. Schmitz has the best District Office Administrator. Beth is smart, adorable and has a wicked sense of humor.
Comment by Red,White and Blue Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 2:16 pm
District Office Personnel:
This has to go to Carol in Bost’s Office - absolutely great person with no-nonsense approach to all kinds of constituent problems in a huge district. She once worked for Corrections, so she has to be tough.
Pat Locker. Yep. She’s the greatest in the Capitol. She told me the other day that she worked around here almost as long as I have been alive (and I’m 40). I bet she’s driven more miles in Reverse than I have driven going forward. My vote is for Pat!
Comment by Rock-N-Roll-Rod Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 2:23 pm
* Best district office administrator - Justin Cajindos in Mike Frerichs’ office. He is dedicated and really knows his stuff.
Comment by KD Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 2:26 pm
Beth, in Tim Schmitz office is permanently blessed with kindness, sense of humor and intelligence.
Comment by anon Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 2:32 pm
Beth Hamilton in Langs office, with that voice she could melt chocolate.
Beth in Tim Schmitz office HOTTY!
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 2:35 pm
Beth Hamilton from Lou Lang’s office!!
She has the best attitude of anyone around the capitol & she gets the job done.
Love her!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Comment by no contest Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 2:48 pm
If this is the only remaining award, I suppose my chances of receieving an award for most typos in a single post is out.
Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 2:53 pm
I had the chance to work with Rep Schmitz’ office. Beth is professional, smart and great to work with.
Comment by anon Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 3:01 pm
Luz Lopez. Formerly with del Valle and now with the Prez. Capable of functional, positive relationships across the board–with legislators, staffers, lobbyists, and plain old constituents. Kind, incredibly hard-working, extraordinarily knowledgable and intelligent, extremely professional, conscientious, and judicious. And fun, to boot.
Comment by Luz-er = Winner Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 3:02 pm
While Pat Locher is great, she hasn’t worked with the varied personalities that Rhonda Wood now with Sen. AJ Wilhelmi, has. Rhonda started with Jerry Joyce(Kankakee), and has worked with Tom Dunn, Larry Walsh, and now AJ Wilhelmi. She, like Pat has an encyclopedic knowledge of the Capitol. She also can retrieve notes on meetings with people from years back and tell you what was discussed, who was there and the outcome. She is unfailingly friendly and pitches in both in Springfield and the district. She has expertise on issues that many seasoned staffers may lack. My vote goes to Rhonda.
Comment by Anon Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 3:08 pm
Jake Longhorn
Comment by Jack Franks is my boss Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 3:29 pm
I have to vote for Julie Starsiak, formerly with Rep. Ronan’s office. I know she’s retired from public service, but she was the hardest working person in any Legislative Office. 12 - 16 hours a day, 6 days a week. She talked to everyone that came in the door, tried to solve any problem presented.
Comment by Chicago Guy Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 3:40 pm
Nancy Beaty in Leader Watson’s office is the hardest worker in the State House. Stays late night after night and never complains. She worked for the late Senator Stan Weaver and former Senate President Pate Philip prior to current position.
Comment by nancy fan Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 3:51 pm
Beth, from Schmitz office. One classy lady all the way. Best Administrator. Bright, fun, hard worker.
Comment by megaman Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 3:56 pm
(If we had instant runoff voting, I would’ve named Rhonda Wood, too. She also really stands out in her field. Rhonda’s top-quality work has also had a significant ripple effect. Those LAs who’ve learned from her–as many of them have–have picked up on much of her attitude, work ethic, organization, knowledge, and all-around supercompetence. And again, she’s really fun.)
Comment by Luz-er = Winner Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 3:59 pm
AA votes for Joann. always makes you feel at home, even when one might be a tad er, uh, puckered up before a meeting with His Speakerness.
Close second for Nancy B. upstairs. She was also in there bright and early every day with Pate and Stan. Gosh, I miss the Undertaker.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 4:02 pm
There are several, but I have to vote for Nora Scandrett as well. I am not voting for Nora just because she is Hoffman’s secretary, but because she is secretary to Hoffman and John Bradley.
If you know anything about those two legislators, you know keeping track of them is like herding cats. Nora does a great job and is always friendly even when her principals have her coming and going. So far I don’t have any argument with any of the other nominees, but my vote goes out to Nora.
I usually only talk to the district office folks on the phone so I don’t have a strong choice for that one.
Comment by Jaded Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 4:10 pm
Joanne in Madigan’s office is great but you can’t list her without mentioning Carol in Barb Currie’s office. She is a real GEM!
Comment by 4% Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 4:11 pm
My vote goes to Mary Alice in Senator DeLeo’s office. She is a class act and nobody is more capable or kind or accommodating than she is.
Comment by Rudy Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 4:40 pm
I’m going to nominate Susan Shankland and Melody Hawn in the Clerk’s office along with Cyndi Spears in the Secretary’s office. I’ve come to find that if you need any information, they will get it ASAP. They have helped me out tremendously over the past few years.
Good question Rich and everyone listed deserves recongition!
Comment by jwscott72 Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 5:29 pm
Definitely Kristen with Skip Saviano. That place is like the home for wayward lost boys with all the lobbyists and smokers hanging out there and she does a great job of keeping track of all Skips engagements with a great attitude.
Comment by Marc Camp Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 6:14 pm
Rob Baren in Don Harmon’s office is as close as you’ll get to a congressional district director — a senior policy and political advisor who also runs the traps on a strong constituent service operation.
Comment by ex-Villager Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 7:26 pm
Jan Zobus in Senator Peterson’s home office is wonderful. Courteous, knows the district quite well and is one of the few people I know to work for the Senator since his days in the House back in the 1980’s. If you want to run a Republican campaign in Lake County, you talk with Jan Zobus.
Comment by kdruben Wednesday, Dec 19, 07 @ 7:42 pm