Rep. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) has promoted several staffers in his D.C. office since the summer began, and also has hired a new scheduler.

Liesl Hickey, 30, was announced last week as the new chief of staff for Kirk. Prior to coming on in the D.C. office, Hickey had worked for Kirk on his election and re-election campaigns in 2000 and 2002.

Hickey graduated from Southern Methodist University in Dallas with a bachelor’s degree in political science in 1996. She hails from Melbourne, Fla.

Kristy Cole, 24, has spent the past year in Kirk’s office handling most of the administrative duties that arose. This summer she was promoted to legislative assistant and will handle transportation, immigration, government reform, women’s health, education, and judiciary issues for the Congressman.

Cole is a native of Glencoe, Ill. She graduated from Princeton University with a bachelor’s in English.

Jeffrey Phillips recently has been promoted, having spent the previous nine months in the district office as Kirk’s district representative. As the new legislative correspondent, he will handle health care, human rights, financial institutions, budget, taxes, Social Security and the arts. He also will serve as intern coordinator.

The 23-year-old graduated from the University of Michigan in 2003 with a bachelor’s in political science. He is a native of Winnetka, Ill.

Kirk’s scheduler is now Kim Brisky, who joined the office in June. In addition to handling scheduling for the Congressman, she also takes care of flag and tour requests. Brisky is no stranger to Kirk’s office, having served as an intern in the summer of 2003.

Brisky graduated this spring from the University of Iowa with a bachelor’s in political science. Another native of the Land of Lincoln, the 22-year-old calls Glenview, Ill., home.