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Question of the day: 2020 Golden Horseshoe Awards

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Illinois

* The 2020 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best House Democratic Legislative Assistant/District Office Manager goes to Jessica Genova from State Rep. Lindsey LaPointe’s office…

She cares so deeply for every single constituent she works for. I’m in awe of how she goes the extra-mile for constituents, even turning every-day problems to legislation to get at the root of the issue. She’s got my nomination!

She got bonus points for that Mark Brown profile.

Runner-up goes to Tina Tyson-Dunne from Rep. Deb Conroy’s office, who, according to one nominator, has even helped staff COVID testing sites.

* The 2020 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best House Republican Legislative Assistant/District Office Manager goes to Rachel Tabor…

Having professional and friendly district staff is a key factor for successful constituent outreach and completing all the work faced by legislators each session. Rachel knocks it out of the park each time for Rep. Tim Butler even during this past shutdown. Her work ethic and reliability in helping constituents during this pandemic shows why legislative staffers always deserve credit for their hard work and sacrifices that help keep state government going.

Shelly Grigoroff at Rep. David Welter’s office earns a very close and well-deserved runner-up.

Really, though, everyone who does these often thankless jobs deserves a huge thank you from all of us.

* On to today’s categories…

Best legislative assistant/district office manager - Senate Democrats

Best legislative assistant/district office manager - Senate Republicans

I know it’s not always possible, but try your best to nominate in both categories if you can. Also, this isn’t a poll or a floor vote. Explanations are mandatory.

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

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Dec 9, 20 @ 11:06 am

Comments

Senate GOP: Barb Frobish who is LA for Senator Schimpf and Mary Lou Frank who is LA for Leader Brady are hands down the best. Both are diligent & responsive while consistently being genuinely nice people. They both deserve the award.

Comment by Jo J Wednesday, Dec 9, 20 @ 12:26 pm
I’d like to posthumously nominate Jeanne Greenfield for the Senate Republican Horseshoe award. I met her over a decade ago when volunteered for former Rep Jefferson, the 2 legislators’ office were next door to each other in the Zeke Giorgi Building. Jeanne was always gracious, helpful, and despite long term illness she worked to address the needs of the district’s residents. On a personal note she encouraged me and even prayed with during difficult times. She worked right up to her last days and ultimately passed away from complications related to her ling term battle in May of this year. She is missed.

Comment by L-Dubb Wednesday, Dec 9, 20 @ 12:48 pm
I’ll second the nomination of Mary Lou Frank for the GOP, and add Jan’et Scott (Leader Lightford’s LA) for the Dems. Both are consistently personable and responsive in the often frustrating and crazy atmosphere of Springfield.

And I feel like a fool for blanking on the name of Sen. Neil Anderson’s LA. She, too, is unflaggingly helpful, and very much appreciated.

Comment by Linus Wednesday, Dec 9, 20 @ 12:54 pm
Senate Dems - Jan’et Scott, the now-former LA for Majority Leader Lightford. Jan’et consistently went above and beyond while maintaining her compassionate and professional demeanor. In a year that the Majority Leader ran for Senate President, lost and tried to step down from the ILBC only to be pulled back in, all while responding to the many COVID-19 crises. Jan’et’s commitment to serving the Leader and her constituents is unparalleled. Also, congrats to her for the new gig at the IL EPA!

Comment by Newcomer Wednesday, Dec 9, 20 @ 1:12 pm
Trisha Rebbe with Senator Peters. She is amazing with follow up and follow through. Peters will meet with anyone and everyone and that makes her job tougher than most on session days and she usually one of the last LA on the 2nd floor to leave.

And she will also make sure that if the Senator tells someone he will meet with them, that the meeting happens.

Comment by twowaystreet Wednesday, Dec 9, 20 @ 1:45 pm
Marcia Simmons, LA to Leader Munoz. A rock star among rock stars! Knows when to tell you to bother the Senator or just work through her. Consummate pro.

Comment by Dano Wednesday, Dec 9, 20 @ 3:28 pm
Duane Malany with Sen. Glowiak-Hilton. Always friendly, professional and responsive.

Comment by Me Wednesday, Dec 9, 20 @ 3:32 pm
I hope you don’t mind if I nominate a couple of wonderful district office people on the Dem side!

Rich Jacobs, Sen. Castro’s Chief of Staff, is super responsive and always cheerfully professional. Castro is one of the most active Senators and Rich never misses a beat. He also is a great asset because of his deep knowledge of the community.

Marty McAlpin, Sen. Laura Murphy’s Chief of Staff, goes out of his way to be helpful to everyone who contacts her office. He has handled the increased work from her new leadership position while remaining incredibly responsive, and has a bright future ahead of him.

Both show how great members often have really great staff behind the scenes.

Comment by PAL Wednesday, Dec 9, 20 @ 3:50 pm
Senate Dems - Jan’et Scott, Leader Lightford’s former LA, constantly remained on top of things going on in the office and did her best to be responsive. She also took on some communications duties for the Senator and did an amazing job in her duel role. She will be missed, but will be great in her new role at the IEPA.

Comment by Wenger Forever Wednesday, Dec 9, 20 @ 4:20 pm
Senator Aquino’s chief of staff and district director Ivan Gonzalez is a highly skilled, responsive, and efficient professional. From arranging for garbage pick-ups to individually helping people apply for unemployment, to managing complex policy and a diverse constituency, Ivan never misses a beat (even when he got covid). Doesn’t hurt he’s a genuinely pleasant person. Ivan is a gem to the district and our great state !!

Comment by Trailhead Wednesday, Dec 9, 20 @ 4:30 pm
I second Jo’s vote. Barb and Mary Lou are top notch, salt of the earth people. Keep it up, ladies!

Comment by Suburban Operative Wednesday, Dec 9, 20 @ 5:29 pm
Huge thanks to MakePoliticsCoolAgain, and the two other nominations yesterday, made my day! -Tina

Comment by Tina Tyson-Dunne Wednesday, Dec 9, 20 @ 7:04 pm
For SGOP, Scott Mills from Senator McClure’s office is a class act. Handles business for the geographically large district with grace. A diligent, accomodaring team-oriented player and the nicest guy. You couldn’t special-order a better district staffer than
Scott.

Wish I had more familiarity with the SDEM district folks to make a recommendation there.

Comment by Space Cowboy Wednesday, Dec 9, 20 @ 7:13 pm
Silas Scott in Jason Barickman’s office. He works hard for one of the busiest GOP Senators, and is kind and passionate about serving constituents.

Comment by CubsFan16 Wednesday, Dec 9, 20 @ 10:46 pm
Senate Dem - AJ Burse in Senator Sims’ office. AJ goes above and beyond to make sure he gets things done on behalf of the Senator and his constituents. He also goes out of his way to work with other legislative offices so they can better coordinate the work they do on behalf of their members and the public.

Comment by Southsider Wednesday, Dec 9, 20 @ 10:53 pm
Best legislative assistant/district office manager - Senate Democrats: Mark Boone (Sen. Stadelman). Rockford has been another region of the state really been hit hard by the pandemic and has had its own set of challenges every step of the way, but Mark does a great job of navigating the climate in the district and working with local and state officials for resolution/clarity.

Best legislative assistant/district office manager - Senate Republicans: Shannon Hogan (Sen. Rezin). Shannon has worked tirelessly on all constituent issues from unemployment to long-term care facilities and the LaSalle Home in their embattled district that has struggled with high covid numbers throughout most of the pandemic.

Comment by MakePoliticsCoolAgain Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 9:15 am
Senate Dems: Jan’et Scott, Leader Lightford’s former LA. She put in the long hours to keep up with the Senator’s busy schedule, and Jan’et was on top of everything. I don’t know how she did it. She will be missed

Comment by Miss Marie Thursday, Dec 10, 20 @ 12:15 pm