Taking a look at the new stories on the Chicago Tribune web site, I found a photo of Democratic Party State Rep. Jack Franks and Governor Bruce Rauner.
Often said is that a picture is worth a thousand words.
When taken in the context of Franks’ comment, “There’s No Longer a Safe Seat Anywhere” (see article here), it certainly appears that Franks is willing to be Rauner’s lap dog. (See article here.)
See also here where Rauner praises Franks.
This is a great step toward transparency that all levels of government should follow.
Hint, hint, townships, county, etc.
I applaud that Jack Franks is working with the Republican governor.
Franks represents McHenry County and should have a good relationship with the Governor.
Rauner really does need some Democrats to work with him given the legislative makeup of both chambers.
He can’t do things by himself or just with a Republican minority.
Given that his district overwhelmingly voted for Rauner, working with him seems like the right thing to do.
Karma and J have it right.
Cal Skinner just hates bipartisanship.
He’d rather see Governor Rauner fail before working across the isle.
Love your last word, Observer.
State Representative Jack Franks (D – 63rd – Woodstock) was quoted in the Daily Herald.
Daily Herald
Rauner: Put Local Municipal Salaries Online
By Mike Riopell
Friday January 16, 2015
“State Rep. Jack Franks, a Marengo Democrat and sponsor of the the bill, said it was a simple move to let taxpayers know more about government.”
“State Rep. Jack Franks, a Marengo Democrat, sponsored the legislation to post the salaries of most county, township and city workers on a website.”
http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20150115/news/150119218
Here is Jack D Franks’ recent salary history from OpenTheBooks.com.
Year Annual Wages
2013 $74,569.20
2012 $74,569.20
2011 $74,569.20
2010 $74,569.20
2009 $76,366.08
2008 $76,731.96
2007 $74,027.96
2006 $66,389.88
2005 $66,389.88
http://www.OpenTheBooks.com
To use OpenTheBooks.com, register first, otherwise you are prompted to answer a question and your data vanishes after awhile, or at least that’s my experience.
After registering, click on Illinois > Category: Employee Compensation > Employee Status: State/Local Employee Salaries > Area of Government: State Level Employees > Continue > Name: Franks Jack > select the first of the three entries, after you have what you need, Type in the name again, etc. until you go through the three entries.
For some reason Mr. Franks appears three times in the database, a little unusual but does occasionally happen.
You have to click on each entry to access different years.
Better Government Association also has a salary database.
http://www.bettergov.org.
Note that “Data Year” on bettergov.org is the year BetterGov.org obtained the data, not necessarily the fiscal year in which the salary was earned.
That’s why BetterGov.org salary data doesn’t always match OpenTheBooks.com salary data.
Hopefully Governor Bruce Rauner starts with getting suburban and downstate fire and police salaries online.
And then townships.
Those would be the salaries most lacking from OpenTheBooks and Better Government Association.