Stephen S. Morrill, Esq. Mr. Morrill is an attorney who concentrates in the government relations and administrative law areas, having served as a lawyer, lobbyist and government official for approximately 20 years. After graduating from Northwestern University with a B.A. in Economics, Morrill was a Governor's Fellow in Springfield, working for a year in various areas of the Illinois Governor's Office. Following graduation cum laude from the Northwestern University School of Law, where he was an editor of the Law Review, Morrill served as Parliamentarian of the Illinois Senate and staffed the Senate Judiciary Committee during the tenure of Senate President Philip J. Rock. Morrill thereafter practiced for six years in the governmental, administrative law and litigation departments of the Chicago law firm Winston & Strawn. Before forming his own firm, Morrill returned to Springfield to serve as Chief Legal Counsel to Senate President James "Pate" Philip, developing new rules for the Senate and assisting the new presiding officer during his first legislative session. As a lobbyist, Morrill has represented scores of clients before the Illinois General Assembly, Illinois Joint Committee on Administrative Rules and Cook County Board. As a lawyer, Morrill has practiced before virtually every Illinois agency and executive branch office, as well as in the state and federal courts. Morrill's governmental experience includes service as Commissioner of the Illinois Human Rights Commission, the agency that adjudicates anti-discrimination claims with respect to employment, housing, education and public accommodations, Special Assistant Attorney General, Special Counsel to the Cook County Board, General Counsel to the State Employees' Retirement System, Counsel to the Board of Trustees of the Teachers' Retirement System of Illinois, and Member of the Illinois Attorney General Advisory Board on Not-For-Profit Corporations. Morrill has served on transition teams of state constitutional officers, on the boards of charities, and as a member of numerous legal and civic organizations. Morrill has published articles in such publications as the Northwestern University Law Review, DePaul University Law Review and Illinois Bar Journal, and is a periodic contributor to such magazines as Chicago Southland Business and Chicago Office. Morrill has been recognized by his peers in the Illinois legal community as a "Leading Lawyer" in his field, a designation maintained by the Law Bulletin Publishing Company, and is a member of the Illinois Bar Association and the Chicago Bar Association. Morrill resides in Northfield, Illinois. E-mail Steve.   William J.P. Banks. Mr. Banks is an attorney who serves as co-counsel with Morrill and Associates on select Illinois government relations and other projects. Banks attended DePaul University, earning a B.A. degree in history. Thereafter, he graduated from DePaul University College of Law, earning his J.D. in 1975 and being admitted to the State Bar that same year. He serves as Alderman of the 36th Ward of Chicago, a position he has held since 1983, and chairs the Zoning Committee of the Chicago City Council. Banks holds the political position of 36th Ward Democratic Committeeman. Prior to serving as an alderman, Banks served as the Chief Research Aide and Legal Counsel to United States Congressman Morgan F. Murphy. Later, he worked as an Assistant Corporation Counsel for the City of Chicago, serving as Prosecutor, Special Prosecutor and Senior Attorney handling over 10,000 cases. He has served as a Member of the Chicago Plan Commission, Delegate to the Democratic National Convention, Treasurer of the Democratic Party of Cook County and Chairman of the Mayor’s Zoning Reform Commission, among other positions. As an alderman, Banks has sponsored numerous successful legislative measures and received numerous awards and honors from a wide variety of organizations. Banks resides in Chicago, Illinois.   Stephen B. Schnorf. Mr. Schnorf is a State Budget and Procurement Consultant to Morrill and Associates. In his distinguished governmental career, he has held the positions of Director, Illinois Bureau of the Budget (1997-2002); Director of Policy for Governor Jim Edgar (1994-1997); Director, Illinois Department of Central Management Services (1991-1994, 2002); Director of Drivers Services, Office of the Secretary of State (1983-1990); and Administrator of the Senior Citizens Division, Office of the Secretary of State (1981-1983). In addition to his role at Morrill and Associates, Schnorf serves on the Illinois Liquor Control Commission. In his various capacities in Illinois state government, Schnorf played lead negotiating roles on many key legislative initiatives, including: Illinois welfare reform (1995); Chicago school reform (1996); reorganization of the Department of Human Services (1997); Illinois FIRST (1999); and Soldiers Field renovations (2001). He participated in all meetings of the Governor and four legislative leaders for five years, affording him broad exposure to the interactions between the executive and legislative branches. Schnorf’s governmental experience includes contract negotiations with the state’s largest employee union; developing five state budgets, each totaling approximately $50 billion; supervising all state bond sales for five years (consisting of some 40–50 sales totaling more than $10 billion); and serving as the Governor’s key liaison, on a variety of issues, with business and labor interest groups, as well as political leaders. He also chaired the Procurement Policy Board of Illinois (1997-2002); chaired the Illinois Debt Collection Board (1991-1994, 2002); and served as a member of the State Employee Retirement Systems Board of Trustees (1997-2002). Prior to beginning his state governmental career, Schnorf served people with disabilities on behalf of several not-for-profit organizations and associations (1969-1981) and taught History and Social Studies at Robinson High School (1966-1969). Schnorf received his Bachelors and Masters degrees in Education from Eastern Illinois University. Schnorf resides in Springfield, Illinois.   Edward J. Derwinski. Mr. Derwinski serves as Legislative Consultant to M&A. His distinguished governmental career includes service as Secretary of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (1989-1992); Undersecretary for Security Assistance, Science and Technology for the United States Department of State (1983-1986); Counselor of the Department of State (1983-1986); Member of Congress, Fourth Congressional District of Illinois (1959-1983); Delegate to the United Nations with rank of Ambassador (1971); Chairman of United States Congressional Delegation to the Inter-Parliamentary Union (1959-1982); Illinois State Representative (1957-1958); and Member, Illinois-Indiana Bi-Port Commission. From 1950-1958, Derwinski served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the West Pullman Savings and Loan Association in Chicago. He served in the United States Army during World War II, and thereafter earned a Bachelor of Science from Loyola University in Chicago. Derwinski has long been active in Republican political campaigns, serving as "ethnic liaison" to every Republican presidential nominee since Dwight Eisenhower; most recently, he served as General Campaign Chairman for Peter Fitzgerald's successful effort for the United States Senate. Derwinski holds four honorary doctorate degrees and has received numerous awards. Derwinski resides in both Washington, D.C., and Chicago, Illinois.   Gilbert F. O'Brien. Mr. O’Brien serves as Labor Consultant for Morrill and Associates, P.C. Previously, O’Brien served as labor liaison for the Secretary of State. In that position, O’Brien advised the Secretary and his senior executive staff on labor issues, and acted as intermediary between organized labor and the Secretary of State. Prior to his affiliation with the Office of Secretary of State, O’Brien had a distinguished 20-year career in various executive offices in Cook County government. Specifically, he served as supervisor and administrative assistant in the Office of the Cook County Clerk, Office of the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Cook County, and the Office of Treasurer of Cook County. In these positions, O’Brien supervised staff ranging from eight to 28 employees, evaluated staff performance, recommended and administered new administrative procedures, served as liaison with satellite offices, and interacted with all levels of governmental officials and employees. Consistently though his public career, O’Brien’s duties have included labor relations. In that regard, O’Brien has established an excellent reputation for facilitating union contracts and promoting union affiliations. His longstanding ties to organized labor include an uncle who co-founded the Teamster’s union. In addition, O’Brien served as public relations consultant for various theatrical groups appearing nationally. O’Brien resides in Glen Ellyn, Illinois.   Curt A. Fiedler. Mr. Fiedler is an expert in the legislative process, government relations, and legislative research. Prior to joining Morrill and Associates, Fiedler spent five years working under House Republican Leader Tom Cross as an expert on state finances, economic development, state gaming, and taxation issues. Fiedler graduated cum laude from Olivet Nazarene University in 2000, earning a B.A. in Political Science. Currently, Fiedler resides in Tinley Park, Illinois with his wife and son. Email Curt   Myk Snider. Mr. Snider serves as Public Affairs Consultant to Morrill and Associates, P.C. Snider has almost 20 years experience in the public affairs arena, dealing with government and community issues. In addition to his work with M&A, Snider is a principal in the firm of Sphere Public Relations Group, whose trademarked slogan is Building Community Support and Overcoming Community Opposition for their clients. Snider has led many clients’ critical projects to success, including Harris Chicago Community Bank (transition to neighborhood branch model); Ameritech Illinois (773 area code transition); Taco Bell Corp. and the related Yum Brand companies (using community relations to facilitate new store development). He has developed comprehensive, brand-based marketing plans for City Colleges of Chicago, United HealthCare, the Illinois Road Builders Association and many other Chicago-area clients. He has also helped build community support for controversial projects including incinerators, medical waste facilities, chemical transfer stations and assisted senior living homes. Before forming Sphere PR, Snider served in Chicago Mayor Richard M Daley’s administration as Director of Recycling (1990–92), where he was responsible for the development of the Blue Bag recycling program. Previously, he was in charge of government programs for a community based organizing agency (Resource Center, 1984–90). Snider helped to found Chicago’s Civic Coalition (comprised of many of the city’s top civic groups); he founded and chaired the PAC for the Chicago Southland Southland Chamber of Commerce and is the immediate Past President of the Chicago Area Public Affairs Group. He received his B.A. with Honors in Humanities and English Literature from Valparaiso University in 1981, and his graduate studies were in Theory of Criticism at the University of Chicago. Snider resides in Chicago, Illinois.   Lawrence J. Hoffman. Mr. Hoffman serves as legislative consultant to M&A. His business experience includes: President of LJH Consultants, Ltd. (1998 to present), a corporation with three interests: graphic arts and print production, governmental representation and political consulting, and commercial insurance risk assessment and management; President of Hoffman Insurance Group (1995 to present); Office Manager to Manny Hoffman Insurance Agency, Ltd. (1988 to 1995); Securities Broker (1984 to 1988); and Floor Broker for the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (1983 to 1984). Hoffman has extensive political experience, including serving as Executive Director of the Cook County Republican Party (1992-1995), political consultant to Illinois House Republican Leader Lee A. Daniels, campaign director on numerous campaigns, and Constituent Liaison for Illinois Congressman George O'Brien. During the 2001 legislative redistricting process, Hoffman provided technical support to the Illinois House Republican Caucus. Hoffman serves on various boards and commissions, including the Cook County Civil Service Commission, the United States Postal Advisory Council, and the Village of Homewood Planning Commission. Hoffman was educated at Drake University and Southern Illinois University. Hoffman resides in Flossmoor, Illinois.   Amanda McDonald Ms. McDonald serves as office manager for Morrill and Associates. She is a military veteran who served in the United States Navy, earning the Navy Achievement Medal, a Good Conduct Medal and was nominated for Petty Officer of the Year at Naval Amphibious Base at Little Creek, VA. Among other tasks, she deployed security personnel to protect then-Vice President Al Gore during his numerous state visits nationwide during the 2000 presidential election. McDonald received a B.A. with honors from the University of Illinois at Springfield in Legal Studies, and previously interned with a Springfield law firm specializing in family law and personal injury. As a high school student, she served on the first Student Advisory council for Senator Laura Kent Donahue and Representative Art Tenhouse and was the only female representative from her school. McDonald currently resides in Springfield, Illinois. Email Amanda.