Aaron Shepley Lends Name to Jack Franks’ Campaign

Aaron Shepley

Aaron Shepley

Jack Franks

Jack Franks

Aaron Shepley, the man that McHenry County Republican Party Chairman Mike Tryon appointed as Vice Chairman of Community Outreach, Aaron Shepley is listed as introducing State Rep. Jack Franks’ at at Crystal Lake Town Hall Meeting announced on Franks’ Facebook page.

Read it yourself below:

Please join me at an upcoming town hall meeting to learn about my plan to cut McHenry County property taxes by 10% and discuss other key local issues. I look forward to meeting you and answering your questions!
                    -Jack

Monday, August 29th
7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Crystal Lake South High School
1200 McHenry Avenue – Crystal Lake, IL 60014
Introduction by Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley

Shepley also has served as an elected Republican Precinct Committeeman.

Now he is listed on Franks’ web site as endorsing Franks.

Those attending might want to read this article first:

Two Promises Jack Franks Won’t Keep


Comments

Aaron Shepley Lends Name to Jack Franks’ Campaign — 38 Comments

  1. Yay, this means CL will be asking the County Treasurer for a 10% reduction in the property tax levy in 2017.

    I’m glad Mayor Shepley is cutting my property taxes.

  2. Double yay, this also means that Mayor Shepley will cut the CL Library levy by 10%!

    I’m looking forward to this 10% cut in my property taxes. Thank you Mayor Sheply for cutting 10% of the fat from the city and library budgets.

    We know you are a man of your word.

  3. Voters might wonder why Republican Crystal Lake Mayor Shepley is introducing Democrat 63rd District State Representative Jack Franks whom is relinquishing that seat to run as Democrat McHenry County Board Chair.

    Election November 8, 2016 v Republican Mike Walkup.

    Why would Republican Mayor Shepley endorse the Democrat rather than the Republican?

    When Democrat Jack Franks’ main campaign pitch is for not only the County Board to cut property taxes 10%, but asks that every taxing district in McHenry County follow suit.

    Is it realistic for cities, towns, and villages in McHenry County to cut their sales taxes by 10%, as Jack Franks is offering them to during his political campaign?

    How is Crystal Lake supposed to cut property taxes when police and fire pensions are severely underfunded?

    +++++++

    Illinois Department of Insurance

    Public Pension Division

    2015 Biennial Report, covering years 2013 – 2014

    The report is issued every two years.

    This report was issued October 1, 2015.

    The next report will presumably be issued around October 1, 2017.

    The figures below, from the report, are as of April 30, 2014.

    ++++++

    Crystal Lake Firefighters Pension Fund

    – 68% Funded.

    – $11,917,321 underfunded (taxpayer IOU to the pension fund as of that date).

    The amount underfunded has GROWN over time.

    2013 – $11,711,842 Unfunded Liability

    2012 – $10,942,574

    2011 – $09,516,035

    2010 – $09,042,832

    2009 – $10,206,728

    2008 – $06,662,068

    2007 – $05,540,630

    2006 – $04,646,613

    2005 – $04,515,696 Unfunded Liability

    +++++

    Crystal Lake Police Pension Fund

    – 58% Funded

    – $22,873,951 Unfunded Liability

    2013 – $21,739,514

    2012 – $19,292,991

    2011 – $19,356,138

    2010 – $18,607,105

    2009 – $21,299,817

    2008 – $15,061,998

    2007 – $13,302,460

    2006 – $12,595,918

    2005 – $12,261,281

    +++++++

    Crystal Lake taxpayers owe $$34,791,272 to the Crystal Lake Police and Fire pensions alone.

    +++++++

    Crystal Lake property taxpayers also contribute to IMRF pension fund for Crystal Lake municipal & County employees, and some townships are also members of IMRF.

    IMRF is generally much better funded than the above Downstate Police and Downstate Fire pensions, but not 100% funded.

    And Crystal Lake state income taxpayers also fund the state pensions of Teachers (TRS), University Employees (SURS), State employees (SERS), Judges (JRS), and the General Assembly employees aka State Representatives and Senators (GARS).

    +++++

    The Cut 10 election gimmick.

    The county portion of the real estate tax bill for municipal residents is generally less than 10%.

    10% of 10% is 1%.

    So the Jack Franks proposal to cut County property taxes 10% would result in a 1% or less reduction for most municipal residents.

    People probably wouldn’t get too excited over that.

    People get more excited over 10% than 1%.

    Thus the Cut 10 campaign, irregardless if it is realistic.

    Why doesn’t Jack Franks ask Hillary Clinton to Cut 10?

    He was an elected Hillary Clinton delegate as a result of the March 2016 primary election.

  4. Walkup cannot even get support in his own home town hahahahahaha

  5. It’s easy to label yourself, but your actions tell the real story.

  6. I guess Josewhales loves to be lied to.

    Must be a Progressive!

    Another victim.

  7. Franks Said on his website:

    “Property taxes in McHenry County have reached outrageous levels and it is time to roll them back. I urge you to support an immediate 10% cut in the property tax levied by EVERY government body in McHenry County.

    McHenry County has a higher property tax level than 99% of the counties in America, with the average McHenry County homeowner paying over $5,200 per year.

    We also pay a higher percentage of our income in property taxes than residents of 99% of the counties in America.

    Please take the necessary steps to reduce government waste and fraud so that property tax payers can finally have some relief.”

    For more information, Click Here: https://goo.gl/pVfrSK

  8. I love the way rats scurry every time some brings up truth about one of their own

  9. ” I urge you to support an immediate 10% cut in property tax levied by EVERY government body in CHenry County.”

    Big deal anyone can SAY that. How will it be achieved?

    He is just a wind bag.

    He has no clue how to reduce the overall tax burden by 10%, but it sounds good in a press clipping.

    I don’t give a crap what Jacko says.

    In 18 years he has done nothing.

    Why would any thinking person believe this career politician will do anything now?.

    The best predictor of the future is what one has done in the past. For Jacko, that is nothing, zip, 0,

    Don’t be a lemming like Moderate, who guzzles Franks kool aid.

    Jackson can’t make it happen.

    He has no experience in reducing taxes.

    Ask yourself these two simple questions.

    In 18 years of Jacks lackluster career, where and by how much has he reduced taxes?

    What is Jackos record on fulfilling campaign promises?

    All talk , no results…

  10. As much as I have tried, over the years, to respect people in authority it is hard to do so in this culture of political patronage, deal-making, and backstabbing.

    The Clinton and Obama way of doing things looks to be alive and well in our own communities.

    Alabama – I hope your seeming toungue-in-cheek reference to the Crystal Lake City and Library tax levies being cut by 10% actually happen, but I’m not going to hold my breath.

  11. Now that the TRS will be reducing planned return on its investments, the TAXPAYERS of Illinois will be on the HOOK for even more pension under-funding!

    At least Walkup worked to REDUCE cost at the County to permit flat levying.

    Franks talks and talks and talks and some fools actually listen.

    Walkup and a few others just quietly work on the behalf of the taxpayers.

    What time does the movie start?

  12. Franks is coming out from behind his Children’s Brigade!

    Anyone who has commented on this blog, or anywhere, they are confused by Jack’s inability to understand or serve his constituency has the opportunity to try to engage him.

    He’s a fool but he’s managed capably so this is a rare beautiful opportunity to ask him substantive questions.

    Gather all your friends, the entire GOP and the candidates to go ask questions and record the answers.

    Bring cameras.

    Bring IPads.

    Bring a pen and paper.

    What an opportunity!

    Take it!

  13. Great idea, Priest.

    But, why does it feel like an excercise in nailing Jello to a tree?

  14. Good comment Priest, document everything with this special event.

    Then hold him to it.

    I am sure the Newspapers and Radio Stations would love to share this information.

    Well . . . I pray they will.

  15. Did D155 rent out the high school to Franks’ campaign?

    Or are they letting him use it for free?

  16. From his Website: https://goo.gl/pVfrSK
    “McHenry County has a higher property tax level than 99% of the counties in America.

    We also pay a higher percentage of our income in property taxes than residents of 99% of the counties in America.

    Enough is enough. I’m running for McHenry County Board Chairman to cut property taxes levy by 10% across the board. This means a 10% property tax levy reduction from EVERY government body in our County. We can finally give relief to local property taxpayers if we eliminate government waste and fraud and more efficiently manage tax dollars.

    Join me in sending a message to McHenry County leaders in support of this 10% cut. And know that I will introduce this plan on my first day as your new McHenry County Board Chairman. -Jack Franks

  17. **Alabama – I hope your seeming toungue-in-cheek reference to the Crystal Lake City and Library tax levies being cut by 10% actually happen, but I’m not going to hold my breath.**

    John ONeil – “Alabameskate” is Allen Skillicorn, pretending to not be Allen Skillicorn.

    Cute, eh?

    I’m not sure why Allen Skillicorn cares about his property taxes in Crystal Lake (where he doesn’t live) going down, but I’m curious to know why.

  18. Elect me then I’ll show you my plan says Jack Franks.

    This is an election gimmick if there ever was one.

    The County Board Chair is obviously not in charge of all taxing districts in the county, and as County Board Chair he cannot unilaterally do anything with taxes even for the county itself.

    Jack Franks, who called Governor Bruce Rauner a union buster, is against the Rauner administration’s Turnaround Agenda.

    Instead, Mr. Franks has a gimmick in hopes of getting elected, that being, to cut taxes in taxing districts to which he’s not even elected.

    It would be real interesting to see the Jack Franks plan to cut taxes 10% in municipalities with severely underfunded police and fire pensions, and in school districts who always ask for more money and always claim there is a funding crisis.

  19. C’mon Mike Walkup let’ get the
    SELF PROCLAIMED. KING RAT
    Outta MC corn !

  20. Let’s review police and fire pension funding status in McHenry County.

    Remember, Jack Franks says he has a plan to cut taxes 10% to the taxing districts responsible for funding these pensions.

    But he won’t show you the plan unless he gets elected.

    For the data source see the above comment about Crystal Lake fire and police pensions.

    +++++

    Algonquin Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District Pension Fund

    – 75% funded

    – $5,375,018 unfunded liability

    +++++

    Algonquin Police Pension Fund

    – 64% funded

    – $11,062,231 unfunded liability

    +++++

    Cary Police Pension Fund

    – 52% funded

    – $8,008,961 unfunded liability

    +++++

    Cary Fire Protection District Firefighters Pension Fund

    – 80% funded

    – $820,590 unfunded liability

    +++++

    Crystal Lake Firefighters Pension Fund

    – 68% funded

    – $11,917,321 unfunded liability

    +++++

    Crystal Lake Police Pension Fund

    – 58% funded

    – $22,873,951 unfunded liability

    +++++

    Fox Lake Fire Protection District Pension Fund

    – 72% funded

    – $214,327 unfunded liability

    ++++

    Fox Lake Police Pension Fund

    – 73% funded

    – $4,628,041 unfunded liability

    +++++

    Fox River Grove Fire Protection District

    The Fox River Grove Fire Protection District dissolved during the biennial period covered by the report.

    The Fox River Grove Fire Protection District now participates in the IMRF pension fund.

    +++++++

    Harvard Fire Protection District

    – Dissolved during the biennial period.

    – The Harvard Fire Protection District has converted to the IMRF pension fund.

    +++++++++

    Harvard Police Pension Fund

    – 65% funded

    – $4,618,227 unfunded liability

    +++++++

    Huntley Fire Protection District Firefighters Pension Fund

    – 90% funded

    – $2,055,063 unfunded liability

    +++++++

    Huntley Police Pension Fund

    – 48% funded

    – $6,364,608 unfunded liability

    +++++++

    Island Lake Police Pension Fund

    – 49% funded

    – $3,467,933 unfunded liability

    +++++

    Johnsburg Police Pension Fund

    – 42% funded

    – $2,871,493 unfunded liability

    +++++

    Lake in the Hills Police Pension Fund

    – 79% funded

    – $6,073,470 unfunded liability

    +++++

    Lakemoor Police Pension Fund

    – 32% funded

    – $146,846 unfunded liability

    +++++

    Marengo Police Pension Fund

    – 44% funded

    – $6,026,775 unfunded liability

    +++++

    McHenry Police Pension Fund

    – 52% funded

    – $18,242,250 unfunded liability

    +++++

    McHenry Township Firefighters Pension Fund

    – 1,745% funded

    – $3,532,437 surplus

    (It’s a newer fund, so there is not 10 years of historical data.

    Would need to gather all the facts before assuming or concluding anything about those figures.)

    +++++

    Spring Grove Police Pension

    – 42% funded

    – $3,265,514 underfunded

    +++++

    Woodstock Fire / Rescue District

    – 52% funded

    – $4,918,656 underfunded

    ++++++

    Woodstock Police Pension Fund

    – 66% funded

    – $9,621,710 underfunded

    ++++++

    Grand total (note that some portions of some funds are the responsibility of taxpayers in Lake County):
    $129,040,548.

    ++++++

    $129 Million Dollar shortfall in those pension funds as of April 30, 2014.

    Most of that is attributable to McHenry County (some of the above districts have a portion that falls in Lake County).

  21. Control what you can control.

    They are self identifying.

    Simply acknowledge who is supporting who or what and when you are afforded an opportunity to make your voice heard… do so.

    It really is a sad commentary…

    The silent majority is watching you.

  22. Wish the silent majority would watch
    Closer, process info better & have a longer
    Attention span .

    Wise words Andrew 🙂

  23. Here is a major problem with the pensions being underfunded by $129 Million.

    That $129 Million is for services already rendered as of April 20, 2014.

    Taxpayers pay the $129 Million, they get nothing in return.

    No police or fire will work 1 extra minute in exchange for that $129 Million.

    No services will be rendered for that $129 million.

    No new equipment or buildings.

    Some say the pensioners will spend some of that money locally, but we could give 129 people $1 Million each in a drawing and receive the same result.

    Some say the employees and pensioners were promised that money, but the salaries and benefits were hiked over time while the pensions were underfunded at the prodding of union lobbyists and negotiators, so really what happened is they gamed the system unbeknownst to the taxpayer.

    The employees wanted higher salaries and more benefits, and that’s what they got.

    They wanted to have their cake and eat it too.

    But we can’t have our cake and eat it too.

    The game was played by diverting pension funding to salary hikes, and lobbying legislators and governors to hike benefits, both of which hiked pension payout and worsened underfunded pensions, and both of which occurred while pensions were already underfunded.

    Not all of the blame lays with the unions and lobbyists.

    But a lot of it does.

    One could argue money for “pet projects” such as bike paths, road maintenance, building maintenance, new equipment, etc. could have gone to pension funding.

    But another goal of the unions is better equipment and working conditions, so once again, we have people who want to have their cake and eat it too.

    The scenario has gotten worse even with Tier II pension benefits passed for those beginning their career in 2011 or after, because the salary and benefit hikes are having a compounding effect of hiking pension payouts over time.

    So now we have those with lower Tier II pension benefits funding higher Tier I benefits that Tier II will not receive.

    It’s basically a ponzi scheme.

    We see this being played out with Jack Franks.

    What was the Jack Franks plan to address this problem while he was a legislator?

    Where was that plan?

    Where is that plan?

    Instead we get Jack Franks playing populist tax cutter ignoring the grim reaper.

  24. hahahaha, peas in the pod, all not for lowering taxes…

    LOL…. hahaha…

  25. Does Jack Franks’ 10% offer for school districts to cut property taxes by 10% take into account the risk posed if the General State Aid (GSA) formula for public education is reworked, where some school districts would get less money from the state for public education, and some districts would get less?

    That would be the result of General Assembly legislation, so certainly Mr. Franks is aware of the risk.

    Will that risk be in Mr. Franks’ Cut 10 plan?

    Will any of the other taxing districts other than County itself be in Mr. Franks’ Cut 10 plan?

    He hinted they would be.

    Mr. Franks has said we will the plan see if he’s elected.

    Vote for me, then I’ll reveal my plan.

    Obviously Mr. Franks does not control school district funding or school district budget approval, because he will not be a legislator after early January in 2017 and is not a school board member.

    Instead of concentrating on what he can control, his influence on County policy as County Board Chair (the County Board Chair does not get a vote in County Board matters), Mr. Franks is diverting focus to what he can’t control.

    Mr. Franks cannot control other taxing districts.

    Mr. Franks cannot control the County itself as he is running for County Board Chair not County Dictator.

    Well he pushed for giving the equivalent of the County Board Chair more power when he pushed for converting McHenry County to a County Executive form of government headed by a County Executive, a McHenry County referendum measure that failed.

    We can now guess what that effort was all about.

    Mr. Franks would have more of an impact on property taxes by concentrating on the Governor Bruce Rauner Administration’s Turnaround Agenda items that impact the County.

    But that doesn’t follow his political ideology.

    He called Governor Rauner a union buster.

    It will be very interesting to see if more Governor Rauner supporters vote for Mr. Franks or Mr. Walkup for County Board chair.

  26. Taxpayers are also about tax transparency and honesty.

    We are not getting that with Cut 10.

    We are getting unsustainable promises due to police and fire pension underfunding and the proof is above.

    Which Jack Franks completely ignores.

    No wonder he does not want to produce the plan unless he’s elected.

  27. Here are the Mayors currently endorsing Jack Franks for County Board Chair, according to Jack Franks’ campaign website FranksForMcHenry.com.

    Also included is the funding status of any Downstate Police or Downstate Fire pensions in that taxing district.

    The source of the pension information is the Illinois Department of Insurance, Public Pension Division, 2015 Biennial report.

    Do these mayors that endorse Jack Franks, also endorse Jack Franks call for them to reduce their property taxes by 10%?

    If so, what is their plan to reduce their property tax revenue by 10% while fully funding pensions?

    +++++++++++

    City of Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley

    Crystal Lake Firefighters Pension Fund
    – 68% funded
    – $11,917,321 unfunded liability

    Crystal Lake Police Pension Fund
    – 58% funded
    – $22,873,951 unfunded liability

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    City of Harvard Mayor Jay Nolan

    Harvard Police Pension Fund
    – 65% funded
    – $4,618,227 unfunded liability

    The Harvard Fire Protection District is a separate taxing district and participates in the IMRF pension plan.

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    City of McHenry Mayor Susan Low

    McHenry Police Pension Fund
    – 52% funded
    – $18,242,250 unfunded liability

    The McHenry Township Fire Protection District is a separate taxing district; it does have a Downstate Fire pension plan.

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    City of Woodstock Mayor Brian Sager

    Woodstock Police Pension Fund
    – 66% funded
    – $9,621,710 underfunded

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Village of Algonquin President John Schmitt

    Algonquin Police Pension Fund
    – 64% funded
    – $11,062,231 unfunded liability

    The Algonquin Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District is a separate taxing district; it does have a Downstate Fire pension plan.

    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Village of Fox River Grove President Robert Nunamaker

    Fox River Grove Police Pension Fund
    – 16% Funded
    – $7,189,369 Unfunded Liability

    Fox River Grove Fire Protection District is a separate taxing district; it participates in the IMRF pension fund.

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Village of Greenwood President John Ferris

    The Village of Greenwood does not participate in an Illinois public sector pension plan.

    They participate in a 401(1) defined contribution plan.

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Village of Huntley President Charles Sass

    Huntley Police Pension Fund
    – 48% funded
    – $6,364,608 unfunded liability

    The Huntley Fire Protection District is a separate taxing district; it does participate in a Downstate Fire pension plan.

    +++++++++++++++++++++++

    Village of Lakewood President Erin Smith

    Not sure which if any pension system the Lakewood Police participate in.

    Fire protection is provided by another taxing district’s fire department.

    The village website states the Crystal Lake Fire Rescue Department provides fire protection to Lakewood residents.

    +++++++++++++++++++++++

    Village of Lake in the Hills President Paul Mulcahy

    Lake in the Hills Police Pension Fund
    – 79% funded
    – $6,073,470 unfunded liability

    The Algonquin Lake in the Hills Fire Protection District is a separate taxing district; it does have a Downstate Fire Pension plan.

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Village of McCullom Lake President Terry Counley

    Not sure which if any pension system the McCullom Lake police participate in.

    Fire protection is provided by other taxing districts

    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Village of Richmond President Peter Koenig

    Richmond participate in the IMRF pension fund?

    The Richmond Township Fire Protection District is a separate taxing district and provides fire protection services to Richmond residents whom reside in the township; they do not participate in a Downstate Fire pension plan; not sure if they participate in any pension plan.

    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Village of Spring Grove President Mark Eisenberg

    Spring Grove Police Pension
    – 42% funded
    – $3,265,514 underfunded

    The Spring Grove Fire Protection District is a separate taxing district; they do not participate in a Downstate Fire pension plan; 2015 Board minutes indicate they participate in a SIMPLE pension plan, (what’s that?).

    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    Village of Wonder Lake President Tony Topf

    It’s unknown if the Wonder Lake police participate in a pension plan.

    The Wonder Lake Fire Protection District is a separate taxing district; it’s unknown if the participate in a pension plan.

    ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

  28. Summary of unfunded pension liability of Crystal Lake Crystal Lake Police and Fire pension fund as of April 30, 2014.

    That is the taxpayer IOU to the pension fund as of that date.

    That is the amount of money that should have been in the pension fund to meet its future projected actuarial pension payouts.

    City of Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley

    Crystal Lake Firefighters Pension Fund
    – 68% funded
    – $11,917,321 unfunded liability

    Crystal Lake Police Pension Fund
    – 58% funded
    – $22,873,951 unfunded liability

    $34,791,272 total police and fire pension unfunded liability as of April 30, 2014.

    One of the major problems is investment returns are supposed to be the largest contributor to a mature pension fund.

    There is zero investment return on a $34.7 Million dollar shortfall.

    ++++++

    Crystal Lake Mayor Shepley endorses Jack Franks for County Board Chair.

    Jack Franks recommends all taxing bodies in McHenry County cut their property tax revenue by 10%.

    What is the plan for Crystal Lake supposed to cut tax revenue by 10% while having a realistic plan to fully fund police and fire pensions.

    They are already short $34 Million dollars yet are supposed to cut 10% in property tax revenue?

  29. Franks statement does not a plan make. It is nothing but hope.

    He could have said he would reduce taxes by 50%. The results will be the same. Another unfulfilled promise

  30. Plans, real plans require obvious basics
    WHAT will be done
    WHO will do it
    HOW will it be accomplished and measured
    WHEN will it be done.

    Absent those details, it is just baloney

  31. Andrew, you say: “They are self identifying.

    Simply acknowledge who is supporting who or what and when you are afforded an opportunity to make your voice heard… do so.”

    Can you explain the concept of self identifying?

    As far as acknowledging “who is supporting who” goes…

    You, Joe Walsh and the purported MC “reformers” endorse and support Wilcox for county board.

    Wilcox publicly aligns himself with Pam Althoff..

    Is it then fair to say that you all align with Pam Althoff?

    Is she now part of this reform movement?

    I’m confused…

    Also, You, Joe Walsh and the purported MC “Reformers” endorse and support Reinert for county board.

    John Reinert is well known to be part of the Tryon, Gottemoller, Schofield, Cowlin crew.

    They all campaigned together!

    I thought you guys were sort of adversaries..

    Is Reinert now part of the Walsh, Gasser, MC “reform’ crew?

    Or have you all joined their crew?

    I’m confused…

    One might be lead to believe that this entire notion of reform is not really about reform at all…

    One might be lead to believe that all this talk of reform is just a gimmick to get a bunch of new faces elected into paying offices…

    Same circus, different clowns?

    I am not saying this is the case…

    But, I am suggesting that it all looks very suspicious..

  32. I wouldn’t trust anyone from the Center Royal Family.

    They make the Clinton’s look good.

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