Capitol Fax.com - Your Illinois News Radar

Question of the day: Golden Horseshoe Awards

Posted in:

Illinois

* The 2020 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Legislative Liaison goes to Amanda Elliot at ISBE…

Amanda is the go to person at ISBE for legislators, lobbyists and staff. She knows her stuff. She’s passionate and believes in what she is working on. She always returns calls and emails and I wouldn’t want to be on the other side of any bill she is against!

Laura Vaught is the runner-up.

* The 2020 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Statewide Staffer goes to Ellen Andres with the Comptroller’s Office…

As you may have seen, she was profiled in a number of articles for taking extreme measures early on during the COVID crisis - when much was unknown and people were experiencing a lot of fear - to ensure that PPE could be obtained by the state for front line service providers. This included a 3.5 hour race against the clock down I-55 to make a payment to a vendor who then deposited a check to purchase PPE in China.

Her office never closed. Staff was rotated in and managed in shifts on site so that payments - many millions of checks - have been delivered.

Dr. Ngozi Ezike received some nominations, but I don’t consider an agency director to be a staffer. Also, as I mentioned several days ago, I unilaterally awarded her the 2020 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best State Agency Director.

* On to today’s category…

Lifetime Achievement

This can be for an elected official, lobbyist, staff member, etc. The person doesn’t have to be retired or deceased. But it would probably be helpful if the person did something particularly important this crazy year, as well as in prior years. And, as always, please make sure to explain your nomination or it won’t count. Thanks.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 11:11 am

Comments

Kathy Murray who is retiring from the Speaker’s Office after 20 years of service. She is an invaluable resource and commands respect from everyone that she has worked with.

Comment by Powdered Whig Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 11:13 am
Second the Kathy Murray nod. She’s been the glue of the Issues Department for 20 years. Always positive, always reliable. She will be missed.

Comment by Principal Skinner Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 11:25 am
Kathy Murray with the Speaker’s Office. For the past 20 years she has been the most reliable staffer and friend not only to the people who work with her but to anyone who crosses her path in the Stratton or Capitol building. She puts in long hours, does way more work than is ever expected of her and has dealt with some crazy things over the years – but throughout it all she always has a great big smile on her face and finds a way to make everyone around her laugh. You can’t say enough great things about Kathy and the dedication she has brought to her job every single day. She’s simply irreplaceable and will be truly missed. Wishing her nothing but the best in her retirement!

Comment by minion Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 11:33 am
Another vote for Kathy! She will be deeply missed.

Comment by CookCo Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 11:35 am
Nice to see so many women being recognized this year!

Comment by Pessimistic Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 11:36 am
Julie Sullivan, Senior Director of Government and Political Affairs at Illinois REALTORS.

With decades of public service and lobbying activities, Julie has garnered a well-earned reputation as someone who knows how to get things done. The REALTORS are a powerhouse in Illinois government for many reasons, but Julie’s work over the years has much to do with the organization’s pull.

Yes, she came out of Madigan’s shop, but I guarantee many of today’s legislators probably have not an iota of that because she is a pro at working with all sides of an issue.

She has worked legislation under both Democrat and Republican Governors and GAs. She has been a public servant both professionally (GA staff) and voluntarily (trustee at her alma mater Eastern Illinois University).

Her fellow movers and shakers in the lobbying world fully recognize her standing in the community as highlighted by the choice to confer on her their highest honor last year: Speaker of the Third House.

Julie Sullivan’s retirement is not only a loss for Illinois REALTORS, but for a loss for all of Illinois state government. She will be missed.

Comment by Inverted Pyramid Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 11:37 am
People, this is not an invitation to snark it up. I’ve already deleted some comments. Banishments will result.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 11:41 am
If you’re nominating someone for a lifetime of achievement, it had better be more than a single sentence. This isn’t a poll.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 11:43 am
I’ll expand my nomination…

There’s high turnover and lots of moving parts to the job, and she is always on point, never missing a beat. Whether you need help figuring out where in the complex a letter needs delivered to or screwing up your timecard. And she does it while smiling and in a good mood.

There’s lots of turnover in the office due to its nature and she’s a staple.

Comment by InferiorEgo Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 11:46 am
I would also nominated Julie Sullivan with the Illinois Realtors Association. She is a great lady and knows everything about her issues and everything else that is going on. She’s always willing to talk, even when you disagree with her. She will be missed Under the Dome.

Comment by Redbird Pundit Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 11:50 am
Kathy Murray is a saint. Her positive attitude and uplifting spirit shine bright on even the longest and most chaotic of days. Always goes above and beyond - irreplaceable.

Comment by To the bill Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 11:51 am
Sticking with Kathy Murray. She helped tons of members, staffers and various interested parties connect themselves with the information needed to get the job done. Capt. Fax might be looking for a higher profile name, but Kathy is a great example of the type of person who helps a lot of people look good and someone who helps a lot good get done.

Comment by Annoin' Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 11:56 am
I’ll expand a bit more

“Second the Kathy Murray nod. She’s been the glue of the Issues Department for 20 years. Always positive, always reliable. She will be missed.”

Her 20 years would be equal to 3 lifetimes in a department where average staffers lasts around 4-6 years. its not so much the time she spent, but how she spent it. Kathy always brought joy to the office in some way. And on the days that she couldn’t get through, she brought food.

The amount of institutional knowledge she had about the little things was unparalleled. Regardless the problem Kathy always knew who you had to see, where to go or what to do. If she didn’t she know, she somehow always pointed you to the right person that could help you. time than not I would be asking Kathy for help than any other staffer.

Comment by Principal Skinner Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 12:15 pm
I’d like to nominate Bob Molaro for the lifetime achievement award. As we all know he was a man of few words. But he spoke those words a lot. “Hey kid, what do you know?” And he would let you answer for about almost 5 seconds before telling you what was going on. But that is all that mattered. Because he knew.
He was a state senator and then a state rep (not the usual path), a lawyer, a lobbyist and a good friend to many of us. He was working until the end even while the effects of his treatment were taking a toll. I was doing work with Bob during the spring virtual session at the end of May and he was burning up the phones dealing with a last minute amendment. He sounded terrible but he kept at it. He was gone 2 weeks later.
He was passionate about helping the horse racing industry in which he also worked to pass the gaming trailer bill this year. But he also had many other issues he believe in such as animal welfare.
And of course beside his many years of playing for both the senate and house in the annual softball game he was a fantastic announcer after leaving the GA. No offense Rich but it will tough for anyone to step up to the same level.

Comment by Been There Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 12:22 pm
Retiring Senator Pat McGuire. Hard to find a more genuine person in the capitol. He’s exactly the type of legislator we need more of: one who concentrates on legislating instead of grandstanding. He’s a true-blue, no-apologies liberal, but he’s far from being an inflexible ideologue — just ask his many Republican friends in the senate. All these qualities are on display as he chairs of the Higher Ed Committee. He didn’t shill for a favored university (as some members of the committee often do,) his mission was student access — particularly for kids from working class and immigrant backgrounds who didn’t necessarily finish at the top of the class or score a 36 on the ACT. That was particularly important in the Rauner days when we had a governor who believed higher ed should be geared toward elite students and mostly left to the private sector.

During the Covid crisis he’s been working with U of I to share there saliva test with the other state universities in time for the next semester. It’s not flashy work that gets a lot of attention, but it’s really important. That’s quintessential Pat McGuire. I nominate him for the Lifetime Achievement Golden Horseshoe.

Comment by Sierra Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 12:37 pm
===he was a fantastic announcer after leaving the GA. No offense Rich but it will tough===

I’m the one who recruited the guy. lol

There were many moments when I thought about just handing him the mic for the whole game. I probably should’ve. He was a natural. Missed his calling.

Comment by Rich Miller Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 12:39 pm
Kathy Murray…a passionate, hard-working, friendly employee with the House Dems. Always working late hours during session time and a pleasure to work with. Best wishes on her retirement.

Comment by Pizza Man Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 12:46 pm
Ladies and Gentlemen: former state rep and former Bremen Township Supervisor, Maggie Crotty. She previously held elected positions as a state senator and Democratic Party committeeman. In Oak Park, she worked tirelessly to help lift up others, from local social service agencies serving the homeless to senior citizens. Always friendly and dedicated to her constituents.

Comment by Pizza Man Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 12:55 pm
For lifetime achievement award, hard to top Molaro for recent impact, but there’s still not a session that goes by that I wish Bill Luking were around for advice and wisdom. The tributes on this blog were fitting, but the impact he had on so many young staff and officials, who are now helping to run the place, is immeasurable.

I’m sure he is an avid reader now, free of his demons, and I like to think that, during quiet moments, late at night, I hear his cackling laugh echoing through the basement of the capitol.

Comment by WH Mess Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 1:02 pm
Vicki Thomas, the executive director of JCAR, is retiring after nearly 30 years in that position (and time with the Senate Dems before that). I doubt there is anyone in state government who understands its inner workings quite like she does or has had her hand on so many different agency rules. As a director, she has led from the front and pushed her staff to excel beyond what they at times thought was possible. And she’s an ILSIP hall-of-famer.

Comment by Forgot my handle Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 1:05 pm
Jo Johnson! She is retiring this year, was a joy to see around the capitol and to work with. Was always keeping a lot of plates spinning, but doing it well. Going to miss her presence under the dome.

Comment by LuckyCharms Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 1:18 pm
For two decades Kathy Murray has been the staff mom for so many young adults. She fed them, she kept them on track, she kept them in good spirits during very late nights and long weekends of working. Staffers missed so many family gatherings because of their loyalty to their work and Kathy always made the staff feel like family. Her humor, songs, and homemade cakes will remain loving memories for 20 years worth of Speaker’s staffers. Kathy Murray is simply the best. A lot of people owe her many thanks for helping them become the professionals they are today.

Comment by Toothpicks and Ice Cream Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 1:29 pm
In a blast from the past, I’ll nominate Zeke Giorgi. The Dean of the House in his day, Zeke was a steady hand that helped to guide many younger lawmakers through the grind. A fierce partisan, Zeke still didn’t take it personally across the aisle, unless you really unfairly ripped into him. He carried a host of legislation through the process over the years and perhaps most importantly was a mentor and touchstone for MJM.

Most recently, he now has a legacy with his grandson Dave Vella winning a seat. He is missed all these years later.

Comment by Lt Guv Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 1:35 pm
Lifetime Achievement Award:

Rich, I have two nominations. Please consider either Leader Jim Durkin or Vicki Thomas of JCAR for the following reasons.

Durkin: Talk about a come back kid. If Madigan goes, he will be the longest serving of the 4-tops - both in Leadership and longevity as a member (since the 1994 election). He has remained above the fray by his political opponents - both Dems and internal R’s such as McSweeney, Skillicorn, and others. He’s surrounded himself excellent staff; has not been entangled in anything close to corruption… I mean, his R incumbents and candidates can all safely tell the newspapers they plan to vote for Durkin for leader, while the Dems need to sidestep that issue “because Madigan.” Durkin has been out there helping both incumbents and challengers - I personally saw him out in the suburbs at EV sites working to help elect R’s for the Illinois House. He fundraises, he does it all. He survived a coupe for leadership. He’s an asset. I think he remains stronger now than ever before. Jim Durkin for Lifetime Achievement Award.

If not Leader Durkin, please consider JCAR Executive Director Vicki Thomas. I have had the honor of being in the room during those staff briefings. The members - 3 from each caucus - have their own pet peeves and quirks. Vicki has steered that ship for so long because of her ability to get both the members, agencies, and outside groups to a fair and acceptable place. The members don’t make JCAR work; Vicki makes JCAR work.

Remember the history of JCAR. Started as a model CSG initiative (almost all States have some means of legislative oversight of the administrations implementation of acts passed by the General Assembly), and the Illinois Admin Procedure Act was strengthened during the Blago years because… well.. Blago!… and many of those processes have helped the legislature combat extreme executive overreach (especially during the Quinn and Rauner years). JCAR has been able to be an insular/under-the-radar support agency because of Vicki Thomas. The problem now with her retirement is: who can lead that commission? Hopefully she has been grooming a #2 because institutional knowledge is key for that arena.

Comment by Suburban Operative Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 2:21 pm
Kathy Murray - 100%. She announced her last day was in the office today via email. Everyone in that office was better because of her. She absolutely was the staff mom for a very young staff, most of whom were not from Springfield. She literally baked a cake for everyone’s birthday. Every single person. And she would ask you what kind of cake you preferred. It was just a symbol of her generosity and commitment.

Comment by The Duke of Evanston Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 3:05 pm
Kathy Murray hands down. Without her there’s no way Issues/DPI would’ve functioned - she kept the trains running on time…spoke up when something wasn’t right, and most importantly brought much needed humanity to that organization.

Comment by The Failing New York Times Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 3:54 pm
Kathy Murray has been the unsung hero of the Madigan operation for years. Kathy’s positive attitude and warmth have helped smooth over many hard days for staffers. Many young staff come to Springfield knowing no one, Kathy has welcomed those staff with welcome arms and given them a safe place to land.

Personally, Kathy has had a significant influence in my life. She helped guide me through some of my darkest days and was my biggest cheerleader.

Comment by LBR Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 4:06 pm
Amanda Elliot is smart, personable, and professional, a perfect combination for her position. Well deserved designation.

Comment by Flyer Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 4:09 pm
Allow me to second Vicki Thomas’ nomination. She is JCAR. A total pro with encyclopedic knowledge of state government. One of the most influential and effective state officials for three decades, yet she operates almost completely out of the spotlight. She almost merits a new horseshoe category — most important Springfield player no one has heard of.

Comment by Telly Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 4:27 pm
Kathy Murray. No one is more deserving for her work for the Issues Unit and Speaker’s Office over the last 20 years.

Kathy has been the rock for the Speaker’s office and been like a mother to many young staffers who were starting their first real job out of college. She has baked hundreds of birthday cakes, reminds everyone of everything and is always there to provide advice or tell a hilarious story. She is a wealth of knowledge of the Capitol and knows exactly where to go or who to call on any issue that a staff member or Rep. may face.

She is also one of the most generous and dedicated people you could find. She put in way more hours into her job than ever required and has never failed to have a smile on her face. Kathy is an institution on her own in the Capitol and certainly deserving of a lifetime achievement award, if not multiple.

Comment by WayTooGo Friday, Dec 18, 20 @ 5:18 pm