Mike Alexander
As a Partner at Alexander, Borovicka & O’Shea (ABO), and previously as President of Michael Alexander & Associates LLC, Mike has an extensive list of clients that rely on him to develop and execute their government affairs and legislative priorities at all levels of government.
With over twenty years of experience working in Washington, Mike advocates tirelessly on behalf of his clients to successfully navigate Capitol Hill and the federal bureaucracy. He has developed a reputation of building broad bi-partisan coalitions, helping clients gather intelligence and stay informed of current and pending policy trends, identifying advocacy groups to support their efforts, and passing critical legislation in D.C.
In Springfield, Mike is regarded as one of the most trusted advisers to both public officials and corporate clients. Mike’s unique relationships with Republican and Democratic members of the Illinois General Assembly are vast, and his ability to secure support on behalf of his clients is unparalleled because of his deep understanding of the inner workings of state government, close contacts at the agency level, and his bi-partisan approach to creating consensus around an issue.
In the City of Chicago, Mike advises clients on best approaches to navigating City Hall. He works closely with the City’s Aldermen, as well as with community leaders and the Mayor’s office, to build robust grassroots campaigns and garner public support to ensure success for his clients. His clients at City Hall range from Fortune 500 companies to family-owned businesses that have operated in Chicago for generations.
Mike began his career in public service in 1995, when he went to work for then Congressman, and now Assistant Democratic Leader in the United States Senate, Richard Durbin from Illinois. Mike worked for the Senator at the senior staff level in both Washington and Illinois.
In 2003, Mike accepted a position with the State of Illinois, becoming the Director of Local Government for the Illinois Department of Economic Opportunity (DCEO). At DCEO Mike worked directly with mayors and other elected officials around the state, as well as businesses large and small looking to relocate or expand in Illinois, to identify various state incentives and to expand economic activity in the state.
In 2004 Mike transitioned to the private sector when he became the Director of Government Affairs for Simmons Hanly Conroy (formerly The Simmons Law Firm), one of the nation’s top law firms. In addition to his role as a founding partner at ABO, Mike continues to work directly with the Simmons Hanly Conroy partners to navigate the political and government landscape on behalf of the clients they serve.
Through his tenure, Mike has developed close relationships that have helped him create powerful networks and advanced strategies for his clients. Today, Mike utilizes these contacts and broad understanding of the issues to work hand in hand with his clients and to advance their legislative and business objectives. His work as a political consultant continues, as he is often called upon to work with and advise local, state, and federal candidates and campaigns during election cycles.
Mike was born in Springfield, Illinois and raised in nearby Virden. He is a 1996 graduate of Illinois Wesleyan University in Bloomington, where he majored in Political Science and graduated with honors. Mike resides with his family in downtown Chicago.