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* Today would’ve been Steve Schnorf’s 76th birthday. I never met anybody who knew more about the operation of state government than Steve. Man, we could use a man like that today.
He was also incredibly kind-hearted and took great pride in mentoring young people.
I met a lady on a plane last year who told me a great Schnorf story. She was working at a Springfield hotel many years ago and Schnorf was a guest. On one particularly cold day, Schnorf walked out to his car then returned to the lobby and asked the manager if he could get some help starting his car. His battery was dead and he needed a jump. The manager gruffly refused, but the woman behind the counter (the lady I met on the plane) said she’d lend a hand.
They got Schnorf’s car started and he drove off. The lady said she was a bit miffed that he didn’t even thank her.
Later, Schnorf approached the same lady and asked if she liked her job at the hotel. Oh, yes, she said. She loved her job. Schnorf then asked if she’d like to work at the secretary of state’s office (he was a Jim Edgar bigwig at the time). She said yes, and he set her up with a gig and she worked for him the rest of his time in government.
She told me she eventually asked Schnorf why he offered her a job. He said something along the lines of: “If you could enjoy working for that [expletive deleted] manager, I figured you’d do fine working for me.”
* I think of Steve almost every single day. Oscar loved him, too. From 2016…
* I told you that story so I could soften you up for this GoFundMe plea…
I’m asking for help for my good friend Mbanna Kantako who lost EVERYTHING he owns due to a house fire. He is an amazing friend, father, uncle, brother and much more. He is a positive role model in the community. He has given back over and over again. He started better life better living for kids a non-profit organization that did tons of stuff for the children in our community. He also organized a clean up the east side project amongst many others. Now he needs you! He has worked very hard to put himself through school in which he earned a masters degree. He has a 1 year old son and a baby due any day. He lost EVERYTHING. Please donate to help this wonderful man any amount will help. He has to start all over with nothing but the clothes on his back! LET’S SHOW HIM SOME OF THE LOVE HE SHOWS EVERYONE ELSE
Mbanna is Sen. Emil Jones III’s legislative assistant. He could really use your help, so let’s do what we always do here and help him and his family recover from this. Please, click here.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 12:14 pm
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Pitched in a little. It’s not much, but hopefully it helps.
Comment by thunderspirit Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 12:29 pm
You’re good at this fundraiser thing, Miller. I hope we’ll get an update soon.
Comment by Cheryl44 Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 12:48 pm
Steve was a great guy and first person I met from the State back in the Edgar era. Illinois could really use a person like Steve to help steer the ship these days ..
Comment by Woodstock willy Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 1:07 pm
Steve was a true public servant. I worked with him in both the public and private sectors. Always a straight shooter and always willing to listen to all sides.
In the private sector I was on the side of fighting cuts, on the public side I was on the side making cuts. In the case of fighting cuts, he not only listened to what we had to say, he went out of his way to show us options we hadn’t thought of.
He didn’t have to do that but he did and it showed his true character.
When it came time to defend cuts, he looked at several us who were explaining the why and how the cuts would be made, and he said, “I know this hard, I know it has to be done and I know the pressure you guys are under, I don’t agree with the where you are making the cuts but also understand cuts have to be made somewhere”.
The man was pure class.
Comment by Give Me A Break Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 1:17 pm
Looking back, the days of the Edgar administration and able administrators like Steve Schnorf were the good old days.
Comment by The Dude Abides Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 1:47 pm
Rich, as always, mad respect for your kindness and compassion.
Comment by DownSouth Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 2:06 pm
This is an amazing story. Thanks for it, Rich. I really miss him.
Comment by Elizabeth (steve's daughter) Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 4:10 pm
Oh, and I’ll donate on my dad’s behalf.
Comment by Elizabeth (steve's daughter) Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 4:11 pm
Steve Schnorf is one unmatched in so many ways when talking politics, governing, the fundamentals of both, and being a mentor and role model to all.
What I love about this story, and there so much to love, is the human part, well outside who Schnorf was or what he could do for the woman you met.
It came down to the human element and self effacing Schnorf, and seeing a person of quality when she didn’t think anyone was watching.
Good souled people, people of heart, that’s how they go about their business.
The rest, which I don’t dismiss or love any less, is what a person of heart does with the means to do it.
Thanks for sharing Rich, and Elizabeth thanks for sharing your father so others like me can learn from his examples.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 4:17 pm
Steve was one of the most straight up guys I ever had the privilege of knowing. I learned a lot working with him. Not to mention he told the best stories in state government. I miss him very much.
Comment by AFriend Wednesday, Nov 18, 20 @ 5:17 pm