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* December is the time for two holiday traditions at the ol’ blog: 1) Fundraising for Lutheran Social Services of Illinois; and 2) our Golden Horseshoe Awards.

LSSI is such an important part of Illinois, particularly in a year like this. They run a Therapeutic Foster Care program for children with histories of severe trauma and emotional/behavioral needs. They do home care for senior citizens. They have a free mental health crisis program. They collect Christmas presents for foster kids. And so much more.

So, please, click here and donate today. I’ll match the first $1,000.

* Now, about the Golden Horseshoe Awards. Since there was basically no session this year, I’m not sure that many of our categories are even relevant (best restaurant, bars, waitstaff, legislators, lobbyists, etc.). So, what would you like to do? Which categories do you think would be most appropriate? And, remember, these awards are for achievement. We don’t waste our time on negativity. No snark allowed.

My own thoughts are that we give the best agency director award to Dr. Ezike and give a huge shoutout to all the staff who have kept everything together during these crazy times and call it a day. Your thoughts?

And while you’re mulling over your answer, please click here and donate to Lutheran Social Services of Illinois. Thanks!

*** UPDATE *** We’ve already reached $1,000 so I’ve matched it as promised (unlike Tom DeVore, I keep my donation promises). Let’s keep going!

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 1:58 pm

Comments

Maybe you should do it this year since a lot of bars and restaurants will be closed next year due to the health crisis.

Comment by Mama Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 2:05 pm
I fully support Dr. Ezike for best agency director. She deserves it more than people will ever know.

Comment by Serenity Now Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 2:21 pm
Yes, Dr Ezike for best agency director. Then a huge shoutout to the staff at the local mental health and substance centers and group homes for Developmentally Disabled.

That goes for private agency and staff at the DHS state operated facilities. Those folks have stayed on the job often risking their own health to continue serving their populations.

Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 2:27 pm
I would agree on Dr. Ezike.
Maybe put up a category for politico since it was an interesting election cycle?

Comment by Frank talks Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 2:27 pm
===(The) best agency director award to Dr. Ezike and give a huge shoutout to all the staff who have kept everything together during these crazy times and call it a day.===

Ball game.

My hats off to her and her crew and all those working so hard with her.

Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 2:29 pm
Maybe to take up the daily quality of Golden Horseshoes, a series of regional “Great Human Service Group” discussions- a chance for readers to chip in a little support for the groups doing important street level work in the hardest of years.

Comment by In 630 Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 2:30 pm
2020 one-off categories? How about…

Best campaign chair?
Best campaign ad (TV & web as separate categories)?
Best judicial decision?
Best overall state agency response?

Comment by Northsider Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 2:35 pm
Golden horseshoe for most successful attorney in the news. Award to be heavy on the snark.

Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 2:35 pm
Amanda Elliott and all ISBE staff for dealing with all issues related to remote learning/school reopening, etc.

DCEO for everything COVID

IDPH staff for going above and beyond

Comment by ChiefM Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 2:38 pm
IMHO - the boots on the ground and blog specific categories should remain this year. Best Government Staff/Official, Best Senate AA/District Office, Best House AA/District Office, Best Liaison - these are non-political in 2020 and the folks that would be considered for these categories have worked their tails off helping constituents and keeping this state afloat.

For the blog itself, Best Commenter and Best Use of Social Media should be considered since CapFax and Twitter have helped most of us keep our wits about us throughout the pandemic.

Comment by MakePoliticsCoolAgain Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 2:38 pm
Dr. Ezike hands down.

Comment by ArchPundit Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 2:42 pm
Could also introduce some new categories that will probably only be relevant to 2020 - Person who made the best use of COVID lock down (i.e. they baked a bunch, lost a lot of weight, volunteered, etc.) or Person with the best Zoom backgrounds/virtual appearances.

Comment by Newcomer Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 2:46 pm
Remember her first Covid press conference when Dr. Ezike gave her remarks and then effortlessly interpreted them in fluent Spainish. I felt the entire State’s collective jaw drop. How lucky we are to have her willing to serve at this time.

Comment by Centennial Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 2:46 pm
==- Person who made the best use of COVID lock down

Why are you attacking me like this?

Comment by ArchPundit Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 2:47 pm
How about Best Essential Worker–Hometown Edition?
Multiple awards could be given, nominations for health care worker, grocery or store clerk, postal worker, etc. While there probably won’t be multiple votes for any one person, the award could be given based on the intensity of the nomination post.

Comment by FrequentLurker Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 3:02 pm
Dr. Ezike - no contest.

Comment by JoanP Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 3:03 pm
How about a Golden Horseshoe Award for best State Agency heroes who go the extra mile to help others?

Comment by Mana Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 3:30 pm
The Fair Tax was probably the most consequential vote in a generation. Even though I strongly disagreed with the outcome you have to acknowledge the people who were integral to its defeat.

Comment by The Captain Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 3:40 pm
Horseshoe for frontline essential state employee. Maybe ask the agency heads to put forth nominees for each agency with a description. That way we can see the unseen work of our states heroes.

Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 3:43 pm
How about a Golden Horseshoe for best state agency work around? An example is how DHS managed to get almost all of their Human services caseworkers working remotely while still meeting tremendous human service needs.

Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 3:47 pm
Best District Office staff would be appropriate given the huge amount of constituent work they’ve done this year with unemployment and other COVID related issues. They all deserve the award IMO.

Comment by SuburbanRepublican Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 3:51 pm
As is the norm when a call goes out to the special group of involved citizens that follow this blog the goal is set, in my opinion, far too low. As difficult as this year has been for many families, mine included, when Rich suggests a fundraiser we will not fail to come through.

Good work and lets keep this going.

Comment by illini Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 4:11 pm
Awards all around for those who tried to help…and a chunk of coal for those who only tried to help themselves.

Comment by Dotnonymous Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 4:32 pm
“We give the best agency director award to Dr. Ezike and give a huge shoutout to all the staff who have kept everything together during these crazy times and call it a day.”

Amen, brother.

Comment by Jimmy Jazz Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 5:37 pm
How about an award for best up and comer, to give some spotlight to more junior people but who are proving they will go far in Illinois?

Comment by Fresh ideas Wednesday, Dec 2, 20 @ 6:24 pm