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The coming end of another Statehouse era

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* From Speaker Chris Welch…

Job Opportunity in the Office of the Speaker

The position of Press Secretary within the Office of the Speaker is a senior level staff position, full-time and salaried. Ideal candidates will have experience in media relations, communications strategy, and developing a clear message around an issue. The successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to (i) collaborate with caucus leadership and other senior staff on the public face of the Speaker and the Office, (ii) develop an overall strategy for the relationship between the media and the Office, and (iii) thrive in a professional, fast-paced work environment.

Responsibilities:

• Develop external communications in partnership with the internal Speaker’s Staff leadership team, the
• Speaker, any designated advisers for members of the media and the general public
• Meet regularly with Speaker and senior staff to gain insight on the day-to-day operations of the House,
• develop an understanding of the pertinent issues and assist with planning on communicating that to
• media and the public
• Respond to media inquiries received by the Speaker and the staff
• Assist with the preparation of external communications material for the Speaker and other designees
• concerning information the Speaker wishes to highlight, on behalf of both himself and the Office of the
• Speaker and the Illinois House
• Develop and manage a communications plan and calendar in partnership with policy experts and other
• team members to highlight programming, services, and announcements
• Develop and execute best practices for consistent, optimized regional/local communications
• Prepare the Speaker for media interviews and speaking engagements

Qualifications:

• At least 5 years of experience in communications and media relations
• Strong written skills, including drafting press releases, statements, and digital content
• Excellent verbal communication skills, with the ability to think and communicate clearly, formulate a clear
• point of view on complicated issues, and create a concise and well-written narrative
• Strong understanding of Illinois media, the legislative process, and the political landscape
• Proven ability to work well within a team and elevate potential press opportunities or challenges to
• leadership
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced work environment, work well under tight deadlines, and readily adapt to
• changing priorities
• Demonstrated organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks/projects at once
• On the record experience and experience working with news media

Salary Range:

• Minimum of $70,000; Full-time position; compensation based on experience and education
• Health, dental, vision, prescription, behavioral health, and life insurance, for details visit:
• https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits/StateEmployee/Pages/StateInsuranceProgram.aspx)
• Participation in State Employees’ Retirement System
• Optional participation in health savings account and deferred compensation programs
• Competitive vacation, sick, and personal time

* Steve Brown became Speaker Madigan’s press secretary after Brown’s tenure with Mayor Jane Byrne ended. His current contract runs through the end of June.

Brown told me he had suggested to Welch that he should find someone to help him establish his own presence and identity and Brown offered to help.

I imagine we’ll be seeing a whole lot of stories about Brown’s tenure in the coming months, but I just wanted to mark this moment today. I’ll have more another time. Meanwhile, here’s a classic pic…

We’ve had our differences over the years (whew, boy), but I do appreciate his service and his friendship.

Also, $70K? I sure hope they’re not gonna go with the lowest bidder.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 11:08 am

Comments

Forgive me for not missing someone who acted like a state employee but legally was a contractor, which allowed him to also be a lobbyist and conveniently exempt from various transparency requirements.

Comment by Just Me 2 Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 11:12 am
My best to Steve Brown, end of an era, indeed.

The times are a’changing.

Best of luck to the next spokesperson.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 11:19 am
That exactly. Id say hope you enjoyed your racket but it’ll probably continue on the lobbying for years.

Comment by Sonny Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 11:20 am
I think we could have more fun with a Disqualifications list.

Comment by Kayak Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 11:22 am
==Steve Brown became Speaker Madigan’s press secretary after Brown’s tenure with Mayor Jane Byrne ended.==

Imagine a book or podcast with the stories he’s seen…

Comment by Precinct Captain Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 11:28 am
The ghost of Steve Brown can finally move on to the after life. Similar to when Jack in Lost finally let go and moved on the rest of the Oceanic survivors could move on as well. Now that MJM has let go and moved on Steve Brown can finally move on as well.

Comment by Les Nessman Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 11:32 am
I am going to miss Steve.

Comment by Soccermom Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 11:35 am
Speaker Welch is fortunate to have him around until June. Will be hard to replace Steve

Comment by Etown Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 11:50 am
The whole MJM infrastructure chiseled since 1983 is finally coming down. How things will begin changing quite soon.

Well, a few of Mayor Lightfoot’s press & communications people have recently departed….just sayin’

Comment by Pizza Man Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 12:04 pm
Steve is the consummate professional. Fiercely loyal. He knew his client presented perception challenges but always did his best to convey his boss’ thoughts regardless of whether folks liked what he had to say. Credit to Steve that he lasted a stunningly long time in a position known for tremendous burnout. A real good funny guy outside the Capitol. Not so much in it.

Comment by Rutger Hauer Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 12:20 pm
Rich. You would be a natural.

Comment by Blue Dog Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 12:21 pm
Brown is a pro. And, a great guy to chat classic cars with. Will miss him but now maybe he will buy a real desk chair instead that bar stool thing he has been using in the office for years.

Comment by Give Me A Break Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 12:38 pm
Definitely agree with Rich’s last point. The demands of the job relative to the pay point (and only 5 years of experience) will be really tough on the person who gets the job.

Comment by Father Ted Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 12:48 pm
Jimmy Carter was the last President to have a press secretary serve out their entire term.

The job of press secretary is largely the stewardship of relationships, with press, lawmakers, staff, stakeholders and obviously the Speaker.

That Steve Brown was able to do that for so long, so well, in one of the most intense media positions in the state speaks to his level of ability.

Comment by Thomas Paine Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 12:57 pm
I think Mr. Brown makes a little more than $70,000?

Comment by Ignatius Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 1:13 pm
“Also, $70K? I sure hope they’re not gonna go with the lowest bidder.” Writing/Communications is an art and artists are expected to do it for the exposure, right? /s

Comment by Skeptic Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 1:15 pm
Great Saluki.

Comment by Jo Jo Monkeyboy Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 1:40 pm
It did say “minimum” $70k.

Comment by Old Norseman Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 1:57 pm
Seconding the Steve Brown podcast idea. Each episode could be built around one story from his past. In the summer, he could discuss managing Chicagofest stories.

Comment by Rich Hill Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 2:20 pm
Steve: Your institution. Consider writing a book on your decades of experience working closely with MJM, numerous legislators, lobsters, and the press.

At a minimum, it would be at least 300 pages.

Comment by Pizza Man Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 2:30 pm
=== or podcast===

*Everyone* is seemingly doing a podcast…

Title?

“You’ll Be Fine”

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 2:32 pm
===or podcast===

I talked to him about this last night.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 2:33 pm
When did Tommy Newsome work for the Speaker??

Comment by don the legend Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 2:34 pm
===Title?===

Under Review.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 2:35 pm
===Title?===

Speaking For Myself

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 2:40 pm
He could do a podcast co-hosted by Tim Mapes and call it “You’ll Be Fine. Noted”.

Comment by Colin O'Scopy Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 2:42 pm
not a bad fellow, all things considered. certainly carried Madigan’s water — always struck me as one of the real insiders.
haven’t talked to him for a while, but he did return phone calls and answer questions.
the stories he could tell. looking forward to his book. he may have a better insight into the inscrutable madigan than most.
good luck to him.

Comment by jim Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 2:49 pm
==Title?==

“No comment: My thirty years working along with Speaker Michael Madigan and the press”

Comment by Pizza Man Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 2:57 pm
==Title?==

The Man Without a Phone

or

An Apple a Day Won’t Keep the Feds Away

Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 3:27 pm
Steve Brown did an excellent job.He should become a mortician the way he always made MJM look good.

Comment by The Old Man Thursday, Feb 11, 21 @ 3:55 pm
Thanks for the generally nice comments. Future plans are under review. I mentioned podcast so I could lock down Capt. Fax as a guest. Done. I think the coming session will be very challenging (and that is not a prediction) I will save other thoughts for another time.

Comment by Steve Brown Friday, Feb 12, 21 @ 9:58 am