On the recordSeptember 17, 2020
As folks in the Chamber know, I have been taking some time to thank friends, family, and staff, for supporting me these 24 years as a Member of the House. Today, before I go down the organizational chart and mention caseworkers, legislative assistants, legislative correspondents, staff assistants, schedulers, there are some outliers in my organization that I need to mention. Mary Ellen, Mary Ellen Maxwell, and Maria Maxwell are all the same person. The Madonia family has strong roots in Springfield, Illinois, and in the Illinois Republican Party. Mary Ellen was on the campaign staff with me in 1996. Upon our victory, she joined the congressional staff. She eventually moved away and then got married. On returning to Illinois with Brad, she joined Team Shimkus as my campaign treasurer. Her family also grew, adding Zane and Lilly. We continue to joke about how Governor Edgar pointed to her at an event one time and said: ``Oh, you are the one who is going to go jail.'' Well, not only has she not gone to jail, she is a stickler for the law, keeping us both out of trouble. Dora Rohan has spent 29 years working with me, protecting me, and being my friend. She started out as my executive assistant when I became treasurer of Madison County. As the only countywide elected Republican, I needed a confidential employee whom I could trust. Dora fit the bill and also brought with her amazing secretarial skills, including shorthand.…
