Our Team
Liz Brown-Reeves
Liz Brown is starting her 19th Session at the Illinois State Capitol. Liz served as a member of Speaker Madigan’s Staff for nearly a decade. Liz served as Legislative Director running floor operations, overseeing committees, including Executive and Revenue Committees and analyzing legislation. Liz worked as the labor liaison for Speaker Madigan dealing with hundreds of Illinois labor unions. Liz also was the Director of the Redistricting. She helped craft the 2001 legislative map, judicial sub circuits and various community college districts, which are all current law. Liz was assigned as the staff person and media coordinator for over thirty of the current sitting House Members, including House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie. Along with being named “Best Contract Lobbyist” – Liz was previously named Best Legislative Staffer by Capitol Fax while she served on Madigan’s Staff.
On the political side, Liz served as campaign manager, candidate recruiter and media advisor on dozens of legislative races throughout the state including those of many incumbent State Representatives and managed the highly successful get-out-the-vote efforts of the Democratic Party of Illinois and the Illinois Attorney General. She also served as staff to the Democratic National Conventions in 2000 & 2004 and most recently in July of 2016. Most recently Liz played an instrumental role in the primary & general election of Democratic Candidate for Attorney General Kwame Raoul. Liz is also on the Charter Committee for the newly formed Illinois House Democratic Women’s Caucus. Liz worked as a Regional Campaign Manager for the Illinois House Democrats for Democratic Chairman Michael J. Madigan during the 2018 General Elections.
During non-session time, Liz has been instrumental in planning and arranging formal international legislative trips with current legislative leaders.
Liz received her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. Liz is originally from Southern Illinois and believe her rural roots have helped craft a unique perspective in the Illinois political process.
Mitch Schaben, Staff- LBR Consulting
Mitch Schaben is beginning his eighth year in the Illinois State Capitol. Mitch joins Liz Brown-Reeves Consulting straight from the Senate Democratic Staff. Mitch served on the Policy, Budget and Communications Staffs for Senate President John Cullerton. Mitch also is the Campaign Coordinator for Appropriations Chairman State Senator Andy Manar.
Mitch’s work experience is in the following areas:
Responsible for providing detailed, timely analysis for staff and members
In concert with the chairman, structure and prepare for each hearing
Analyze the budget and track the appropriation proposals as part of the state budget as it progresses through the legislative process
Work with members, the Legislative Reference Bureau and other staff to study, research and draft legislative proposals and amendments for bills. Responsible for shepherding bills through the legislative process.
Created comprehensive communication plans for caucus members to effectively communicate with the constituents in their district. Plans covered weekly legacy and new media opportunities as well as targeted email blasts
Assisted assigned legislators with messaging to legacy media through press releases and media advisories
Communicated with constituents utilizing new media such as Facebook, Twitter and targeted emails
Mitch is originally from Iowa, where he received a Bachelor’s of Arts from Luther College.