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Question of the day: 2023 Golden Horseshoe Awards

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Illinois

* The 2023 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Democratic Illinois State Representative goes to Rep. Lance Yednock…

While I don’t always agree with his positions on the issues, he is a principled, respectful and hardworking legislator who is well-liked and respected by so many around the Capitol. He gets along well with people across the political spectrum, and has been a great leader for the moderate voices in the House. What a class act. He will be missed!

* The 2023 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Republican Illinois State Representative goes to Rep. Norine Hammond…

Norine Hammond is what more lawmakers should aspire to be. She works her sprawling district hard. She seems to know everyone and what their pressing issues are. She knows how to work with Dems to get things done. Even when you disagree with her, she never lets anger or emotion take over.

Being a former district staffer she understands taking care of things back home means working for everyone, not just the GOP but everyone. In Springfield she knows her stuff and understands how government works and how to cut through things and get to the heart of issues.

Illinois could use a lot more Norine Hammonds.

Some very solid nominations were made yesterday, so thanks for that and congrats to our winners!

* Today’s categories…

Best Republican Illinois State Senator

As always, explain your nomination or it won’t count. And please do your best to nominate in both categories.

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posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Dec 12, 23 @ 12:17 pm

Comments

Dem Senator is Christina Castro. She runs the exec committee efficiently, but ensures every opinion is heard. She quickly picks up on issue specifics, and can articulate key points in hearings and floor debate. She is also a political animal, and does the work needed to win, and to help her colleagues win.

Republican Senator is Dale Fowler. Represents the interests of his district without getting caught up in the broader ideological talking points. Solid guy who always has a smile and a warm hello.

Comment by darren baileys crewcut Tuesday, Dec 12, 23 @ 12:26 pm
Best dem senator: Joyce… a truly bipartisan member which is rare these days.

Best GOP senator: Steve McClure… solely because of his Darren Bailey rant earlier this year.

Comment by spoon Tuesday, Dec 12, 23 @ 12:37 pm
I’ve always found Sen. Villanueva to be approachable and very on the ball. She represents her district well, and transitioned well from House to Senate. She’s particularly good on working social service issues.

Speaking of those transitions, on the R side, I’d nominate Sen. Tom Bennett to honor his many years of solid service to the House capped off by his time in the Senate. “Approachable” applies to this senator, as well. He’s well respected for his knowledge of and work on education issues. He’ll be missed in retirement.

Comment by Linus Tuesday, Dec 12, 23 @ 12:38 pm
For Senate Dems I nominate Senator Cristina Castro. Seeing her and her large political team let’s me know that her colleague have someone that is willing to go an extra mile to make sure democrats keep their seats. She is also one of the most effective legislator. She runs the executive committee efficiently and has been part of transforming IL with important legislation like CEJA or immigration legislation.

For Republican Senate I nominate Seth Lewis. My org does not agree with his views. He is a leader willing to meet people of all sides and have a real conversation about what he wants and how we can potentially work together. You don’t see that too often.

Comment by Mimo Tuesday, Dec 12, 23 @ 12:43 pm
Best Dem Senator - Elgie Sims. A good man, who negotiates in good faith with the other side of the aisle, even when he knows it’ll probably fall apart. He’s also one of the most respectable members toward staff that I’ve come across. A real class act guy.

Best GOP Senator - Dale Fowler. He’s done more for his district than possibly anyone in the Senate. He’s not afraid to work with the other side on issues that would spell disaster for any other Republican legislator. He’s well liked and brings home the bacon for his constituents. Another plus, he has a tasty array of -40 Below Joes in his office for public consumption.

Comment by Probably should retire soon Tuesday, Dec 12, 23 @ 12:49 pm
D - Sen Joyce- Common Guy uses Common Sense for
Common Good

R- Too Hard to Handicap

Comment by Red Ketcher Tuesday, Dec 12, 23 @ 12:51 pm
I vote for Senator Cristina Castro for her wonderful works in her community.

Comment by MARY Tuesday, Dec 12, 23 @ 12:54 pm
Best Dem Senator: Cristina Castro. She knows her policy through and through. She is helpful with how to run bills, how and who to talk to and get it done. She is as effective as they come and funny as heck. If you haven’t had the opportunity, have a chat with her. She’s also a Cubbie fan! What more can you ask?

Not sure on the R side. Sorry!

Comment by Kwosont Tuesday, Dec 12, 23 @ 12:56 pm
Dem- Sen. Patrick Joyce who seems to be one of the only members of that caucus who isn’t consistently taking crazy pills.

Republican- Sen. Dave Syverson who seems to be one of the only members of that caucus who isn’t consistently taking crazy pills.

Comment by Mr. Jimmy Tuesday, Dec 12, 23 @ 1:09 pm
D, Sen. Sims - He’s a good guy and a great advocate. When he commits to something he gets it done. He’s effective and enjoyable to work with.

Comment by Shytown Tuesday, Dec 12, 23 @ 1:41 pm
Dem - Elgie Sims, who did an amazing job as chief budgeteer while chairing a special committee that wasn’t supposed to be as much of a lift as a regular committee but totally was. Not only is he brilliant and incredibly hardworking, he’s unfailingly kind.

Republican - Sue Rezin for getting the nuclear power bill passed.

Comment by Change Agent Tuesday, Dec 12, 23 @ 1:46 pm
I nominate Dem Sen. Cristina Castro. She makes a point of knowing policy inside-and-out, is quite successful at getting her priorities passed and signed into law, and her constituent services team is beyond compare.

I don’t know know the GOP side of the aisle well enough to make a nomination there.

Comment by Elginite Tuesday, Dec 12, 23 @ 1:51 pm
Democratic Senator - Sen. Rob Martwick has a wonderful professional background and one of the most personable public servants I have ever encountered. He has a great memory, is passionate about not only his district, but the state as a whole; and extremely bipartisan. He is a hard worker, good listener, and his constituents love him. I have known Martwick for years and he has always been an amazing person. So, I nominate him!

Republican Senator - Despite her being quite new, Sen. Erica Harriss is definitely on fire! She is well spoken, thoughtful, honest, and has some great bills filed (SB 2590, SB 2071). She is a history buff and her knowledge on our Founding Fathers is impressive. She is devoted to her district. Although people may not be nominating freshmen, I am going to do so. Thank you, Senator Harriss!

Comment by SFE Tuesday, Dec 12, 23 @ 2:11 pm
I nominate Democratic Senator Cristina Castro! She is amazing at what she does, very attentive and hard working. Easy to talk to and does everything in her power to make sure her Constituents are well taken care of.

Comment by Springfield Southside Tuesday, Dec 12, 23 @ 3:40 pm
Democrat - Mary Edly Allen. Challenging incumbent Democrats like Joyce Mason behind the scenes with a primary challenge. As Senator Bush put it, that intentionality is good for the party.

Republican - Sue Rezin. It seems like good coverage for Illinois so far regarding the nuclear power plant law.

Comment by Torco Sign Tuesday, Dec 12, 23 @ 3:51 pm
People, when you don’t bother to even try to nominate in the other category, you look like you’re doing a campaign, which is somewhat (not totally) frowned upon.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Dec 12, 23 @ 3:57 pm
Democratic Senator- I nominate Senator Cristina Castro. She has quickly risen up the ranks and rightfully so. She chairs a difficult committee that handles plenty of difficult legislation, and she has always been able to lead her committee calmly and firmly. She has taken on a variety of legislation that has benefitted Illinoisans on a broad range of issues, and her legislation passed because she is engaged at every level of the legislative process and is passionate about the issues she takes on.

Republican Senator- I nominate Senator Syverson. He is a very friendly and knowledgeable Senator. He has been around a while and kindness and institutional knowledge is appreciated.

Comment by Arlington Tuesday, Dec 12, 23 @ 4:31 pm
Dem- Sen. Castro is consistently doing a great job working with people and navigating the trenches through Springfield, especially as chair of Exec. The political work is a bonus, with many a Dem candidate happy to see a large group of walkers showing up a weekend or two during the final month.

Rep- Sen Fowler, shockingly hasn’t had to fall into the trap the rest of his district is falling into of trying to out-Trump each other. The ability to have conversations with confidence in understanding and intelligence even in disagreement is commendable. The easy thing would be what many do, in running down the other party for political benefit with lame Tik Tok posts, FB tirades etc, which he intelligently avoids by acting like an actual grown up.

Comment by Frida's boss Tuesday, Dec 12, 23 @ 4:32 pm
I nominate Senator Castro for the democratic side. She is a great mentor and helpful to everyone around her. She lights up the room and is very nice to all staff at the Capitol.

For republican senate side I nominate Senator DeWitt. He is admirable in his ability to work across the aisle with bipartisan issues. He is also friendly and knowledgeable on a lot of different policies.

Comment by TayTay Tuesday, Dec 12, 23 @ 7:58 pm
It’s been a great year for Dem. Senator Steve Stadelman who’s been involved in two game changing developments in his district. The Governor and Metra announced this summer passenger rail service will be resuming from Chicago to Rockford, a project he’s been working on for 10 years. And, this fall, Stellantis announced the Belvidere Assembly Plant will reopen and get a new truck product. Sen. Stadelman sponsored the Reimagining Energy and Vehicles Act two years ago which laid the groundwork and provided state incentives for the deal with the automaker. He’s a good guy who works his district, knowing that ‘all politics is local’.

Republican Senator Sue Rezin was impressive in efforts to pass the nuclear bill. She worked with Democrats to get the legislation through both Chambers and find a compromise with the Governor. She’s an experienced, solid lawmaker who knows how to get things done even though her party is in the super minority.

Comment by Magic Jack Tuesday, Dec 12, 23 @ 8:06 pm
I vote for Jil Tracy for best GOP Senator. She is always straightforward and is a great advocate in her caucus and on the floor. She is also very smart and understands the issues quickly.

Comment by From the Center Tuesday, Dec 12, 23 @ 8:40 pm
Best Senator Cristina Castro: I think Leader Castro has some of the best political instincts in the Senate. She juggles her responsibilities with being a Leader in the Senate and the committeewoman for the 8th Congressional District extremely well. Additionally, it takes a steady hand to chair the Senate Executive Committee, and Leader Castro makes it look easy. On top of that, she’s a pragmatic progressive and understands how to push for progress while understanding the need for compromise. I wish I was a constituent.

Honorable mention goes to Leader Linda Holmes. No one has had a better year legislatively than Leader Holmes. She passed multiple pieces of legislation she has been negotiating and working towards for over ten years (toxic sludge & paint recycling)! Plus, she spearheaded the drone legislation which will keep us all safe. The city of Aurora (and Illinois) is better today because of her leadership.

Best Senate Republican is a no-brainer. Leader Sue Rezin’s leadership on the SMNR was impressive. She’s levelheaded and understands the nuances of her district. Her constituents rave about her, and yes, I happen to watch all her slideshows on Facebook!

Comment by Au Tuesday, Dec 12, 23 @ 9:03 pm
Dem- I nominate Senator Cristina Castro, she is a fighter for her constituents and never fails to come through. She is a fighter and knows how to effectively pass legislation that will benefit the people of Illinois. She is a great leader and admire her ability to work on bipartisan legislative issues to deliver effective solutions to her constituents.

Republican- I nominate Senator Sue Rezin, I appreciate her efforts in trying to pass the nuclear bill and working collaboratively to get things done.

Comment by Jordan Tuesday, Dec 12, 23 @ 9:57 pm