At the multi-candidate fundraiser held at the Crystal Lake Rib House Monday night, moderator Joe Tirio, who is running for McHenry County Recorder of Deeds, introduced GOP State Rep. candidate Steve Reick after U.S. Senate candidate James Marter finished speaking.
Steve Reick
He next introduced Steve Reick, the only real Republican seeking to run against Democrat Jack Franks.
“It’s time for a change, folks,” Reick said.
He pointed out how much Republican Bruce Rauner carried Franks’ district by and said that McHenry County voters sent the Democrat to Springfield to support Rauner’s agenda.
That Franks has not done, Reick contended.
The Democrat got a 35% rating from the Illinois Manufacturing Association based on his lack of support of Worker’s Compensation reform.
Franks voted against every reform bill.
Reick presented what will develop into his “stump speech.”
It emphasized
- State Aid to Education, which is skewed to Chicago
- Tax reform, which Reick said is needed because Illinois is no longer a manufacturing state
- Medicaid funding, which will start costing an additional $30 million a month in 2017 when the Federal subsidy is reduced to 90%
“We need to get Jack Franks out of Springfield and back working for his father’s law firm,” Reick said.
Election totals in November, 2014.
Of his Jack Franks’ supporting GOP Primary Ballot opponent Jeff Lichte, Reick said,
“Jeff Lichte is not a Republican.”
Reick told the crowd that he could lose the primary if they did not help him get out the vote.
Reick said he was six weeks behind because of the petition challenge that another of Jack Franks’ supporters (Carpenters Union Official Ron Eck) had filed.
“You’ll be hearing from me,” he concluded.
Events leading to 63rd State Representative District primary election raise eyebrows.
People listed on the Host Committee for a fundraiser for incumbent Democrat State Representative Jack Franks include:
1. Incumbent Host Committee Person 1 (Jeffery Lichte) files as a candidate under the opposing Republican party.
2. Incumbent Host Committee Person 2 (Ron Eck) challenges nominating petitions of Incumbent’s most serious threat to re-election (Steve Reick).
This ties up opponent Reick’s time to fight the challenge, and creates uncertainty as to whether opponent Reick will remain on the ballot, while the issue is resolved.
Issue is resolved in favor of Reick.
Reick remains on the ballot.
But the Republican opponent Reick has lost campaign time in the process.
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The primary election is March 15, 2016.
Incumbent – Democrat Jack Franks
Incumbents most serious threat to being reelected: – Republican Steve Reick
Incumbent Host Committee Person 1 – Democrat Jeffery Lichte who files as Republican Primary candidate
Incumbent Host Committee Person 2 – Democrat Ron Eck
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Jeffery Lichte has no campaign committee on the Illinois State Board of Elections website.
Is Incumbent Host Committee Person 2, Ron Eck Sr, or Ron Eck Jr.?
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Ron Eck Jr is a Business Representative (labor organizer) with Carpenters Local 2087.
Ron Eck Jr is also an officer (Recording Secretary) of Carpenters Local 2087.
Ron Eck Jr is also a delegate to the Regional Council.
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The Carpenters union has a regional office in Lisle at 4979 Indiana Avenue.
Local based out of the Lisle office that serve McHenry County include:
– Carpenters Local 74L (Lathers)
– Carpenters Local 578 (Pile Driver and Commercial Driver)
– Carpenters Local 1027 (Cabinet & Millwork)
– Carpenters Local 1185 (Flooring Installers)
– Carpenters Local 1307 (Shinglers, Siders)
– Carpenters Local 1693 (Millwright)
– Carpenters Local 1889
– Carpenters Local 2087 McHenry County
All the locals except 2087 service multiple counties.
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The Lisle office is not to be confused with the Chicago Regional Council of Carpenters which is located 12 East Erie St in Chicago that covers northern Illinois, southeast Wisconsin, and eastern Iowa.
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The United States Department of Labor File Number for Carpenters Local 2087 is 039-976.
That File number reveals for 2015:
Members: 344
Assets:
Started period with $441,334 in cash.
Ending period with $432,682 in cash.
Receipts:
Dues & Agency Fees: $87,055.
Other Fees: $4,375.
Interest: $752.
Other Receipts: $40,976.
Total Receipts: $133,158
Disbursements: $142,810
Liabilities: $3,859
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Union carpenters and all the union trades in general receive good training and workmanship is very good.
The politics & business of the union is open to interpretation and can vary depending on the particular situation.
If Steve Reick is the only real Republican seeking to run against Democrat Jack Franks, the Republican Party is in real trouble.