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* The 2023 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Senate Democrat Legislative Assistant/District Office Manager goes to Lacey Stauffer, Sen. Cristina Castro’s LA who even received a nomination from Sen. Steve Stadelman…
Actually, she worked with 2 Senators during the spring session! She’s busy enough with Sen. Castro and clerking the Executive Committee, but when I was without a LA she just rolled up her sleeves and voluntarily helped me. And she kept a smile on her face. Thank you Lacey!
A handful of Senate Democrats nominated their own LAs for the award. Sen. Doris Turner nominated Thera Bond, who is our runner-up. Sen. Robert Peters nominated his LA Trisha Rebbe and she’s our honorable mention. Sen. Castro nominated Ms. Stauffer, as did a whole lot of others. This was not an easy decision.
* The 2023 Golden Horseshoe Award for Best Senate Republican Legislative Assistant/District Office Manager goes to Barb Frobish at Sen. Sally Turner’s office…
She organizes, teaches, mentors and supports not only other LAs but Senators as well! In addition, Barb is the best baker in the Stratton! She is an absolute joy to work with.
Becky Gillam with Sen. Don DeWitte is our runner-up.
* On to today’s categories…
Best House Republican Legislative Assistant/District Office Manager
I know it’s not always easy, but please try hard to nominate in both categories. Thanks. Also, make sure to explain your nominations or they won’t count.
* As I write this, we are up to $40,642 in donations of our $48,007 target to give Christmas presents to foster kids. Thanks to everyone for their help so far, but we still have more to do. Please click here and contribute.. Thanks!
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Dec 5, 23 @ 9:53 am
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No longer have reason to deal with a house district office manager but my vote for House Dem District Office manager is Alex Campbell is Rep. Chung’s office. Starting with his long term to the community when he was a student and continuing into running her office he bring a get it done attitude to every issue he is presented. Organizations, local government and most importantly the constituents are treated as equally important. Also through his connections with Illinois State University is able to attract good interns that learn and grow.
Comment by The Real Captain Tuesday, Dec 5, 23 @ 10:05 am
Liz Moody for HDems is fantastic. You can always tell how good staff is by how much their electeds lean on them, and Liz is absolutely integral to the operations of both of the Leaders she staffs. She keeps two of the most active Leaders in the GA on track during the busiest days of session, which is a feat that not many, if anyone else, can say, and she does it with a smile on her face and a great attitude always. She is a singular presence in the statehouse and deserves this award without question.
I haven’t interacted with enough Republican staff to nominate there, sorry!
Comment by First Tuesday, Dec 5, 23 @ 10:13 am
Hands down, Liz Moody is the best. Not many members have as much going on as Hoffman. He is a true workhorse. It takes a special kind of person to manage all of Jay’s bills, meetings, and office visits. Liz does it all, and she is really a pleasure to spend time with.
For House R’s, my posthumous vote goes to Cheri Hermes. She i missed, as is Durkin. Again, she had a lot to deal with in the leader’s office, but she was a true pro. So friendly and caring. It was a great place to hang out.
Comment by we win Tuesday, Dec 5, 23 @ 10:25 am
Agree about Liz Moody. She keeps her members on track, on time and on mission despite the hectic legislative agenda her members carry. And her members carry “heavy lifting” bills that require a lot of work.
If you have ever been near Liz’s desk on a session day you would understand. She’s a combined air traffic controller, stage manager, office manager, PR spokesperson and House procedure consultant all at once.
Lobbyist, staffers, visitors and lawmakers all treated with respect and understanding. Liz will bend over backwards to help anyone and at the same time can be tough as nails when it requires it.
I’ve seen her literally running up stairs from LRB in the closing hours of session making sure amendments are filed and bills called on Third Readings as the clock ticks and the pressure cooker is boiling.
Liz is a gold standard when it comes legislative assistants.
Comment by Give Me A Break Tuesday, Dec 5, 23 @ 10:32 am
Running an in-district office can be very stressful. I had two district Managers leave in a short period of time due to the endless demands. I was fortunate enough to get an inquiry on FB for any openings in district offices. When I needed one, I messaged her back months later and hired her on the spot due to the beginning of session starting. This was January 2020. Needless to say, who would have thought a brand new district manager would start right before COVID-19.
I’m nominating my District Manager Michelle Cianferri who worked hard throughout COVID helping get meals to our seniors, finding assistance for Veterans, working with the unemployment assistance issues and so much more.
This year, she worked so hard with all the stress of a regular session, the increased phone calls, weekly emails and social media posts, managing the office and the interns we get throughout the year, coordinating with my Springfield LA for certificates/resolutions/etc, along with helping our local non-profits such as the American Legion and Food pantry. She runs our annual Recycle, Reuse and Shred day, Kid Expo, our mobile DMV event, CUPS drive, Toys for Tots drive, in addition to working with the community to make cards for our Veterans in the Veteran homes for every occasion. Right now my office is loaded with handmade Christmas cards for our Veterans homes, nursing homes and to be sent overseas. She is truly the energizer bunny who always has a smile and a cup of coffee for anyone who comes by the office in addition to a new idea every day to help our community. I could write a ton more, but she is worthy of this award.
Comment by Stephanie Kifowit Tuesday, Dec 5, 23 @ 10:38 am
HDEM: Torrence Gardner. Torrence Gardner. Torrence Gardner. Torrance is the behind-the-scenes everything for Rep. Cassidy. He has done incredible staff work around the Repro workgroup and deserves a ton of credit for Cassidy getting so much done on that front. But it isn’t just his work on repro/gender-affirming care. Cassidy is a force on a ton of issues, and Torrence has become an expert on so many of them, helping guide real, life-changing policy.
Comment by JoeMaddon Tuesday, Dec 5, 23 @ 11:06 am
Another vote for Liz Moody! What has been said about her is spot on. She’s absolutely essential to the leaders she staffs and she is a great resource for other staff to ask questions. She has a ton of institutional knowledge and is a joy to work with.
Comment by another one Tuesday, Dec 5, 23 @ 11:29 am
I can’t really say it much better than Joe Maddon. But in addition to having a hand on every policy issue we work on and keeping all the advocates and partners on each bill in the loop, he also manages to keep an intensely busy constituent service operation humming along simultaneously. And then there’s the whole schedule juggling/keeping me on track and prepared that he makes look effortless but take my word for it is anything but easy!
Comment by Kelly Cassidy Tuesday, Dec 5, 23 @ 12:09 pm
I have to nominate my district office manager Tina Walters (Rep. Amy Elik’s Alton office). She is sharp, caring and compassionate. Her interactions with constituents go above and beyond, and she truly works to find the best solutions, even for problems that are not necessarily state-related. She has kept me organized and on-task, and having such a dedicated staffer is a blessing to me and the entire district.
Comment by Amy Tuesday, Dec 5, 23 @ 12:18 pm
Oops. Forgot HREP. I nominate Leader Hammond’s LA, Karla Dirks. Anyone who spends any time behind the chamber knows her as kind, thoughtful, and completely unflappable. Whether it’s ensuring folks get the time they need with the Leader or making a quiet space for a nursing mom on a busy session day, she does it all with kindness & care.
Comment by Kelly Cassidy Tuesday, Dec 5, 23 @ 12:24 pm
Another vote for Liz Moody - she is such a great co-worker and works very hard for her two leaders. On a busy session day, Liz can be counted on to keep her leaders on schedule and at the same time assist constituents, visitors, staff and anyone else who comes her way. We just love Liz!
Comment by Rm 300 Tuesday, Dec 5, 23 @ 12:28 pm
HREP I nominate my LA, Karla Dirks. I’m not sure I can state it better than Kelly Cassidy, but she is incredible. She certainly has her hands full keeping me on schedule. In addition, she manages members and staff parking and travel. She is accommodating to ALL members that need a quiet spot for a quick meeting or personal time! Truly a class act!
HDem Liz Moody keeping Rep Hoffman on track has to be challenging but she manages with ease. She is always quick to respond to a call.
Comment by Norine Hammond Tuesday, Dec 5, 23 @ 12:45 pm
Forgot HDEM-agree on Liz Moody. She is great to work with and kind and professional to R’s and D’s alike.
Comment by Amy Tuesday, Dec 5, 23 @ 12:57 pm
Best House Democrat Legislative Assistant/District Office Manager: Liz Moody - Liz does it ALL and she does it well. She’s brilliant, hard-working, kind, funny, and a wonderful friend. If you need something to get done, Liz is the person. Staffing two members in leadership is no easy task, and she does it flawlessly. We all love Liz.
Best House Republican Legislative Assistant/District Office Manager: Connie Marney from Leader McCombie’s Office. She is another person you can count on to get things done and get them done right. She’s the best.
Comment by CommentsByStaff Tuesday, Dec 5, 23 @ 2:44 pm
HGOP - Tina Walters with Rep Amy Elik’s office is a gem. She has embraced this role and treats constituent casework with great care and compassion. Elik is lucky to have her, and I hope she sticks around.
Comment by TrueBlue Tuesday, Dec 5, 23 @ 3:37 pm