Employment Papers for Jack Franks’ Democratic Party Patronage Hires

Besides the letters previously published, below is the paperwork for the two people Jack Franks and Peter Austin hired as personal assistants to Chairman Franks.

Note that no previous County Board Chairman needed an Executive Assistant or a Communications Specialist.

Bridget Geenen Employment Documents

 

Oliver Serafini Employment Documents
At least this time Franks is not trying to get his family on a public payroll (memo below re-typed to make it easier to read).

The back of Mike Walkup’s leaflet reproduces the content of the memo that Jack Franks sent requesting patronage appointments from Govenror Rod Blagojevich.


Comments

Employment Papers for Jack Franks’ Democratic Party Patronage Hires — 40 Comments

  1. Go get ’em, Cal!

    I’ll bet they never expected anyone to publish their “deeds”.

  2. Note the 50 % split in cost between the General Fund and MCDOT!!

    Is this the kind of crap you thought you were voting for if you voted in favor of the recent Constitutional Amendment?

  3. Disgusting.

    But that’s what Jacko ‘the little lyin’ lamb’ Franks is all about.

  4. There are 7 documents in this post.

    +++++++++

    Here are some notes about the first document.

    Bridget Geenen is the applicant.

    +++++++++

    Document 1

    http://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Franks-Exec-Asst-p-1-12-21-16.png

    The bottom right hand corner of the document contains a date of December 21, 2016.

    The HR Director dated the document December 23, 2016.

    +++++++++

    The proposed assignment is County Administration department.

    +++++++++

    For context, the offer letter from the County to Bridget is found in a January 10, 2017 blog post titled, “Jack Franks’ Patronage Hires for Executive Assistant and Communications Specialist.”

    The offer letter was signed by:

    – Jack Franks as Chairman of McHenry County Board, and

    – Peter Austin as County Administrator.

    ++++++++++

    The job title is Temporary Project Manager.

    The work week is 37.5 hours.

    ++++++++++

    37.5 hours not 40 hours?

    That’s another issue in that how many employees have 37.5 hour work weeks, and what is the public awareness they are paying for county employees to work 37.5 hours per week and not 40 hours per week.

    Would like to see a list of all county employees including the designated “work week” hours for each.

    +++++++++

    The number of weeks is 26.

    What does that mean?

    She is paid every other week instead of every week, or does it mean something else?

    The number of weeks for Oliver Serafini is 52 (that’s noted on another page).

    Why 26 weeks for Bridget Geenen and 52 weeks for Oliver Serafini?

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

    The date employed and effective date is January 3, 2017.

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

    A remark at the bottom of the page states:

    “Position to be converted to serve as Executive Assistant for County Board Chair.”

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

    To understand what transpired would need to see the documents which indicate how that conversion took place.

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

    When did the conversion take place?

    Was Bridget doing Executive Assistant for County Board Chair work before the conversion took place?

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

    Both Jack Franks and Peter Austin hired Bridget?

  5. Here are some notes about the 2nd document.

    Bridget Geenen is the applicant.

    ++++++++++

    Document 2

    McHenry County Application for Employment.

    http://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Franks-Exec-Asst-p-2.png

    ++++++++

    Position Applied for, and the date next to that, is blank.

    ++++++++++

    Bridget Geenen did not indicate which position she applied for, on the application for employment form.

    ++++++++++

    As indicated in the first document, Bridget Geenen was hired as a Project Manager in the County Administration Department, to be converted to Executive Assistant for County Board Chair.

    ++++++++++

    As a reminder, the previous position of Bridget Geenen was a state employee, working in the Woodstock office of State Representative Jack Franks.

    Also, the Supporters of Jack Franks PAC has paid Bridget Geenen.

  6. Makes me wonder if the new constitutional amendment limiting the use of transportation money for transportation applies.

  7. Cal, the amendment was written in such a way that money can be used for salaries.

    The “little liar” wants the Randall Rd and Marengo projects to go full speed ahead to pay back his funders at the Operating Engineers – therefor, I suspect, he will claim much of his communication and lobbying by his staffers will be done on those projects.

  8. The ambiguity of the Constitutional Amendment was exactly what I was fighting against.

    Just as the ambiguity of question about reducing the county board size.

    The taxpayers will be fleeced because of the inept county board unable to fight the Machine Plenty of Republicans and RINOS but not fiscal conservatives.

    And no one will balls.

  9. Here are some notes about the 3rd document.

    Bridget Geenen is the applicant.

    +++++++

    Document 3

    Section II – Background Information

    http://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Franks-Exec-Asst-p-3.png

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

    Kathie Christ is the owner of Crystal Lake Septic Service / Crown Restrooms in Woodstock.

    Mark Ripley is the owner of Kingdom Construction Services in Wheaton.

    Cathy Danca is the Legislative Aide to State Senator Pamela Althoff in her McHenry office.

  10. Here are some notes about the 5th document.

    Oliver Serafini is the applicant.

    +++++++++++

    Document 5

    HR Payroll Advice

    http://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Franks-Exec-Asst-p-6.png

    ++++++++++

    Date employed and effective date is January 9, 2017.

    Pay rule is DOT – non union 7.50 HR

    (What does that mean?)

    Supervisors name is Jack Franks.

    Proposed Assignment is Division of Transportation (Jack Franks as County Board Chair has authority to supervise an employee in the Division of Transportation?).

    Job Title is Utility Coordinator (Jack Franks as County Board Chair has authority to supervise a utility coordinator?).

    The work week is 37.50 hours (wold like to see a list of each county employee, and their designated “work week” in hours.

    # of weeks is 52 (it was 26 for Bridget Geenen).

    Grade is 9N.

    ++++++

    Remarks hand written at the bottom of the page:

    “Position to be converted to Communication Specialist split 50% General Fund, 50% MCDOT.”

    ++++++

    So exactly how did this transpire and how will this work?

    Several unanswered questions.

    Jack Franks will supervise Oliver Serafini’s MCDOT work?

    ++++

    The elected County Board Chair is a part-time position?

    That requires two full time employees to support it?

    But it’s been said that other county board members can utilize the services of Oliver or was it Bridget?

    But the other county board members did not realize these people were being hired or the job was open?

    This is a mess.

    This is Jack Franks acting as County Board Czar.

  11. Document 5, HR Payroll Advice, was signed by the HR Director on December 23, 2016, and the date on the bottom right corner of the form is December 21, 2016, which is apparently the date the form was printed?

  12. Looked at Geenen’s documents again, took out the duplicate and added a couple of more.

  13. Here are some notes about the 6th document.

    Oliver Serafini is the applicant.

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

    Document 6

    McHenry County Application for Employment

    The position applied for is “Communications / Co. Bd. Chairman and that is dated December 21, 2016.

    ++++++

    What a joke.

    Oliver applied for a position that did not yet exist.

    The position could not have been posted, because it did not yet exist.

    Not all of the County Board members even knew the position was being created.

    The applicant, Oliver, knew a position was being created in the County Board office before some of the County Board members.

    +++++++

    Transparency F.

    Was it legal… we do not yet know.

  14. Here are some notes about the 7th document.

    Oliver Serafini is the applicant.

    ++++++++++

    Document 7

    Section II – Background Information

    +++++++++++

    Oliver Serafini used Jack Franks, McHenry County Board Chair as the first reference on the application form, when applying for the position as Communications Specialist for the McHenry County Board Chair.

    ++++++++++

    Another reference is Marty McCormack.

    Oliver Serafini & Marty McCormack worked together as Program Specialist in the Illinois State House of Representatives Democrat party office at 160 N LaSalle St, N600, Chicago, IL 60601.

    The funding for that office comes from state taxpayers.

    Several employees in that office are released from their state jobs during election season to campaign for political candidates.

    The same practice (release from taxpayer funded job to perform election activities) is utilized in the State Senate Democrat party offices, the State House Republican party office, and the State Senate Republican party office.

    Marty McCormack has also been the Democrat Party House Spokesman.

    Martin McCormack also worked on the Hillary Clinton campaign.

    ——-

    The following is a partial list of the political campaigns on which Marty McCormack has worked with funding included from the Democratic Majority PAC (Michael Madigan is chair of this PAC whose purpose is to elect Democrats to the State House):

    – Unsuccessful campaign of Cynthia Borbas for 45th District (Bloomingdale, Wood Dale, Itasca, Bartlett, etc.) v Christine Winger.

    ——-

    – Successful campaign of Democrat State Representative 43rd District (Elgin) Anna Moeller in 2014 v Republican Jeffrey A Meyer.

    Ms. Moeller was appointed in 2014 after the primary election as Keith Farnham, who ran unopposed in the primary, resigned; more on that below.

    The Republicans had not candidate in the primary election as Ariana Flores, who was unopposed, was removed from the ballot on January 9, 2014.

    Jeffrey Meyer filed to run on June 2, 2014.

    ———

    – Successful campaign to re-elect Democrat Jerry Costello Jr to State Representative 116th District in 2012 v Republican Julie Bigham Eggers.

    The 116th is in southwestern Illinois in Monroe County, Randolph County, and parts of St. Clair County and Perry County.

    ——–

    Anna Moeller was appointed as State Representative in March 2014 when Keith Farnham resigned after the Homeland Security Investigations unit of the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raided his home and district office.

    Mr. Farnham was later found guilty of distributing child pornography.

  15. The document order has been re-arranged in the post.

    So just click on the URL to arrive at the document being discussed in the comments.

  16. The next document to be discussed was completed by Oliver Serafini.

    Section V – Employment Experience

    http://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Franks-Press-p-3.png

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

    His handwriting is horrendous so we’ll just re-write it here.

    Job Title – Communications Specialist / Content Development Specialist.

    Start Date – June 1, 2016.

    Employer: Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Chicago Chapter.

    Employer Address: 8430 W Brywn Mawr Avenue, Chicago, IL 60631

    Phone: 847-933-2413

    Supervisor: Nancy Rainwater

    Starting Salary: $43,000 per year

    Ending Salary: $44,800 per year.

    Duties and Responsibilities: None listed. (seriously)

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

    Job Title: Advocacy Specialist

    Start Date: September 6, 2015

    End Date: June 1, 2016

    Employer: Alzheimer’s Association, Greater Chicago Chapter

    Supervisor: Jen Belkov

    Starting Salary: $43,000

    Ending Salary: $43,000

    Reason for leaving: To change positions.

    Duties and Responsibilities: None listed. (seriously)

    +++++++++++

    Job Title: Legislative Aide

    Start Date: January 1, 2015

    End Date: August 15, 2015?

    Employer: Illinois House of Representatives

    Phone: 312-814-4890

    Employer Address: 160 W LaSalle Ave, #N-600, Chicago, IL 60601

    Supervisor: Craig Willert

    Starting Salary: $39,000

    Ending Salary: $39,000

    Reason for Leaving: Better work / life balance (The original reason for leaving was scribbled out and replaced).

    Duties and Responsibilities: Non given (seriously)

    ++++++

    Once again, the Illinois House of Representatives is more accurately the Democrat Illinois House of Representatives (House Democrats)

    Only Democrats work in that office.

  17. The next document to be discussed was completed by Oliver Serafini.

    Oliver Serafini’s employment experience, continued.

    http://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Franks-Press-p-4.png

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

    Job Title: Legislative Staff

    Start Date: February 25, 2013

    End Date: January 1, 2015

    Employer: Illinois House of Representatives

    Employer Phone: 312-814-4890

    Employer Address: 160 N LaSalle Ave, #N-600, Chicago, IL 60601

    Supervisor: Kristin Bauer

    Starting Salary: $31,000

    Ending Salary: $39,000

    Reason for Leaving: Promotion

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

    Job Title: Consultant

    Start Date: February 22, 2011

    End Date: February 25, 2013

    Employer: Benjamin Head Consulting

    Phone: 847-651-7916

    Employer Address: 7453 N Octavia Avenue, Chicago, IL 60631

    Supervisor: Ben Head

    Starting Salary: Per project

    Ending Salary: Per project

    Reason for leaving: to pursue steady legislative work

    Duties and Responsibilities: None listed.

    +++++++

    Again, the Illinois House of Representatives position is more accurately the Illinois House Democrats.

    +++++++

    Not listed on the application, Oliver Serafini was also paid by political action committees (PACs) for electioneering work.

    Examples follow:

    +++++++

    Supporters of Jack D Franks PAC expended the following to Oliver Serafini.

    December 18, 2014 – $500 – Holiday Bonus

    July 9, 2014 – $1,000 – Gasoline

    December 19, 2013 – $500 – Holiday Bonus

    +++++++++

    Democratic Majority PAC (chaired by Michael J Madigan, to elect Democratic candidates to the Illinois House) expended the following to Oliver Serafini.

    These expenditures were insurance premium payments made to Central Management Services (a state agency) on behalf of Oliver Serafini to benefit the Friends of Jenny M Burke PAC.

    November 13, 2014 – $440.60

    October 10, 2014 – $881.20

    September 12, 2014 – $881.20.

    August 13, 2014 – $881.20

    July 25, 2014 – $440.60

    +++++++++++

    The Friends of Jenny M Burke PAC expended the following to Oliver Serafini:

    May 15, 2015 – $2,000 bonus for 2014

  18. Look at the date the applicants placed on their applications next to their signature.

    Bridget Geenen – undated (no date)

    Oliver Serafini – December 21, 2016.

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

    Next look at the date the Human Resources department stamped on the application.

    Bridget Geenen – December 22, 2016 (there seems to be a scribble over 22, converting it to 23?)

    Oliver Serafini – December 22, 2016 (there seems to be a scribble over 22, converting it to 23?)

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

    Next look at the date the Human Resources Director (Cheryl Schrader – Chukwu) placed next to her signature on each application.

    Bridget Geenen – December 23, 2016.

    Oliver Serafini – December 23, 2016.

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

    Next look at the date on the offer letters from Jack Franks and Peter Austin to the applicants.

    Bridget Geenen – December 23, 2016

    Oliver Serafini – December 23, 2016

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

    Summary of who’s who, based on the documents received via FOIA and posted on the blog, follows.

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

    Bridget Geenen – Hired as Temporary Project Manager in County Administration with Jack Franks as her Supervisor; position to be converted to Executive Assistant of the County Board Chair.

    Oliver Serafini – Hired as Utility Coordinator in the Division of Transportation with Jack Franks as his Supervisor; position to be converted to Communication Specialist split 50% General Fund, and 50% McHenry County Department of Transportation.

    Jack Franks – Chairman, McHenry County Board

    Peter Austin – County Administrator

  19. I should have gotten a paper copy.

    The section revealing that Bridget Geenen was Jack Franks’ Legislative District Office Manager has been re-posted.

  20. I’m a Republican but a fair and honest one.

    Can ANYONE here commenting swear that the Republican Party has NEVER been involved in Patronage Hiring?

  21. Here are the salary increases.

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

    Bridget M Geenen

    2017 – $54,000 – McHenry County

    2016 – ?

    2016 – $02,000 – Supporters of Jack D Franks PAC. Mileage.

    2015 – $48,000 – House of Representatives, District Office Employee

    2015 – $05,000 – Supporters of Jack D Franks PAC. Cell phone, mileage.

    2014 – $44,208 – House of Representatives, District Office Employee

    2014 – $06,089 – Supporters of Jack D Franks PAC. Mileage, holiday bonus.

    2013 – $40,792 – House of Representatives, District Office Employee

    2013 – $03,500 – Supporters of Jack D Franks PAC. Mileage, holiday bonus.

    2012 – $34,631 – General Assembly, District Office Employee

    2012 – $03,750 – Supporters of Jack D Franks PAC. Mileage, holiday bonus.

    2011 – $02,078 – House of Representatives, Contractual Worker

    2011 – $01,913 – Supporters of Jack D Franks PAC. Staff salary. Staff bonus.

    2010 – $04,384 – Supporters of Jack D Franks PAC. Staff salary.

    2009 – $01,616 – Supporters of Jack D Franks PAC. Staff salary. bonus.

    2008 – $00,446 – Supporters of Jack D Franks PAC. Staff salary.

    The November 28, 2011 edition of the Northwest Herald stated she was hired to manage Jack Franks’ Woodstock State Representative office.

    +++++++++

    Oliver Serafini

    2017 – 48,000 – McHenry County. Hired as a Utility Coordinator in the Division of Transportation with Jack Franks as his Supervisor; position to be converted to Communication Specialist split 50% General Fund, and 50% McHenry County Department of Transportation.

    2016 – ?

    2015 – $26,888 – House of Representatives, Program Specialist, Office of the Speaker

    2015 – $02,000 – Friends of Jenny M Burke. This was a $2,000 bonus for working on the 2014 campaign.

    2014 – $22,568 – House of Representatives, Program Specialist, Office of the Speaker

    2014 – $03,524 – Democratic Majority PAC expenditure to Central Management Services (State of Illinois agency) for insurance to benefit the Friends of Jenny M Burke PAC. The purpose of the Democratic Majority PAC, which Michael Madigan chairs, is to elect Democrat candidates to the State House of Representatives. This expenditure allowed Serafini to have state subsidized insurance while working on a political campaign.

    2014 – $01,500 – Supporters of Jack D Franks PAC. This was for gasoline and a holiday bonus.

    2013 – $25,778 – House of Representatives, Program Specialist, Office of the Speaker

    2013 – $00,500 – Supporters of Jack D Franks PAC. This was a holiday bonus.

    2012 – $01,395 – North Shore Elementary School District 112 (Highland Park, Highwood)

    2011 – $00,720 – North Shore Elementary School District 112 (Highland Park, Highwood)

    ++++++++++

    State House of Representative Program Specialists that work on political campaigns are also known as Madigoons, and political operatives.

  22. Oliver Serafini also worked on the Rafael Vargas for Chicago 43rd Alderman campaign in 2011.

    2011 – $1,508 – Vargas for 43.

    his was for staff salaries.

    Rafael Vargas lost the primary election to Michele Smith, whom was the incumbent Precinct Committeeman.

    The incumbent alderman, Vi Daley, did not run for re-election.

    She is not related to the former Chicago Mayor Richard J Daley or his son Richard M Daley.

  23. In both applications, Oliver Serafini and Bridget Geenen, there is no “Department Head” signature.

    Did a Department head ever sign the documents?

    The Department Head is to sign to the left of the Human Resources Director.

    ++++++++

    Based on the FOIA, the claim is there are no hiring procedures for County elected officials?

    Seems like there should be more to that story.

  24. Considering the consent decree placed upon the sheriff’s dept in the past, due in part to hiring practices, you would have thought the county would have learned something.

  25. CP, they have learned something.

    They learned that if it is personally beneficial, keep doing it.

    If any single County Board Member was serious about:

    Protection of taxpayers from anti discrimination policy lawsuits
    Patronage/nepotism hiring

    It would be a simple matter to move that the County establish Jobs Posting protocols which comply with EEOC standards.

    The fact that no such protocols exist and no Member has sought them enforces the belief that elected officials are corrupt and complicit.

  26. Sarifini Out of Chicago? !

    What is that ?!

    he is going to work here for OUR Cty. get paid Our Tax $$ and does not even live here!, He needs to be TAXED for coming here to work just like Emanuel does to us Northern’ers… extra Tax for all!

    who enter!

    Taking our Jobs!

    that WE Need!…

    and then expecting us to pay for it!

  27. **just like Emanuel does to us Northern’ers… extra Tax for all! who enter! **

    Huh?

    You know that such a thing doesn’t exist in Chicago, right?

    Its been talked about, but it isn’t something that exists.

  28. Here’s an update on the payments that were made for Oliver Serafini’s work in the Jenny Burke for 45th District State Representative campaign in 2014.

    Jenny Burke (46%) lost to Republican Christine Winger (54%) on November 4, 2014.

    The district covers parts of DuPage County (Bartlett, Bloomingdale, Itasca, Wood Dale, etc.).

    ———-

    The Democrat Majority Fund (chaired by Michael Madigan) expended $3,524 to Central Management Services (state agency) for insurance premiums (the plan is taxpayer subsidized) for Mr. Serafini to benefit the Friends of Jenny M Burke PAC.

    The expenditures were made from July 25, 2014 – November 13, 2014.

    ————–

    The Friends of Jenny M Burkey PAC expended $10,999 to Oliver Serafini for payroll, per diem, and bonus from July 25, 2014 – May 15, 2015 for campaign work.

    ————–

    $3,524 + $10,999 = $14,523 for Oliver Serafini work on the 2014 Democrat State Representative 45th District campaign in DuPage County.

  29. Here is an update on Oliver Serafini employment by government and political campaigns.

    2015 – House Democrats – $26,888

    ++++++++

    2014 – House Democrats – $22,568

    +++++++

    2014 – Friends of Jenny M Burke PAC & Democrat Majority PAC – $14,524.

    Democrat Jenny Burke lost to Republican Christine Winger for 45th District State Representative.

    The incumbent Republican Dennis Reboletti lost to Chris Nybo in the 24th District State Senator primary, whom went on to defeat Suzanne Glowiak in the general election.

    ++++++++

    2014 – Supporters of Jack D Franks – $1,500.

    Incumbent Democrat 63rd District State Representative Jack Franks defeated Republican Steve Reick. – $1,500

    +++++++

    2013 – House Democrats – $25,778

    +++++++

    2013 – Supporters of Jack D Franks – $500

    +++++++

    2012 – Friends of Michelle Mussman PAC & Clean Energy Illinois PAC – $4,937.

    Incumbent Democrat Michelle Mussman defeated Republican John Lawson.

    ++++++++

    2012 – Personal PAC to benefit Citizens for Dee Beaubien – $231.

    Incumbent Republican Kent Gaffney, whom was appointed to fill the remainder of Republican Mark Beabien’s (Dee’s husband) term when he passed away, was defeated by Republican Dave McSweeney in the 52nd District Primary.

    Dave McSweeney then defeated “Independent” Dee Beaubien in the general election (she received support from Michael Madigan’s organization, as evidenced here).

    ++++++++

    2012 – Friends of Paul Basta PAC – $660.

    Incumbent Ms. Kelly Cassidy defeated Paul Basta in the Democrat 14th District State Representative primary election.

    ++++++++

    2010 – Vargas for 43 PAC – $1,508.

    Incumbent Democrat Vi Daley did not run for re-election for Chicago 43rd Ward Alderman.

    Michele Smith defeated the other 8 candidates in the primary including a run-off election with Tim Egan, and Paul Vargas placed 4th.

    +++++++++++

    The Illinois State House Democrat organization is run by House Speaker Michael Madigan.

  30. More information about the two former political campaign workers who also worked in Jack Franks’ 63rd District State Representative Office.

    The County Board Administrator signed the HR “Payroll Advice” form as the HR Director.

    The offer letters from the County to the prospective employees were for positions that did not yet exist, as explained on the the HR “Payroll Advice” form.

    As noted in comments in the following post:

    McHenry County Blog

    Signs the Recession Not Over in McHenry County

    February 16, 2017

    http://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/02/16/signs-the-recession-not-over-in-mchenry-county

    +++++++++

    The previous County Board Chair did not have the following 3 employees –

    – Communications Specialist

    – Executive Assistant

    – Parliamentarian (who is the Parliamentarian?)

    Jack Franks ran on a platform to reduce county board costs and costs in all property taxing districts in McHenry County, yet he immediately added costs attached to the County Board Chair position.

    Jack Franks asks others to cut costs while not following his own advice.

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