Jack Franks Accused of Crime

An article about McHenry County Board Chairman Jack Franks not obeying the law from the Edgar County Watchdog publication Illinois Leaks.  It is re-published with permission.

McHenry County Board Chairman Jack Franks files false and incomplete SEI statements

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McHenry Co. (ECWd) –

McHenry County Board Chairman Jack Franks is one who likes to send letters to people for intimidation, to include making false allegations of crimes committed with threats of prosecution.

May we suggest putting a mirror in front of Jack Franks?

Jack Franks turns back on McHenry County Board audience.

The reason this exposure is so important is that Franks has announced that he is considering running for Attorney General, which if elected, we would have to change his name to King Franks from Lord Franks.

Although we doubt he is serious about that position, we have been told he intends to become the next Secretary of State.

The plan we were told is that Jesse White will run in the primary and more than likely win, then resign.

Upon that resignation, the Democrat party would appoint Franks to the ticket for the general election which saves him a primary challenge.

Either way, Franks must be exposed – run or not.

The Illinois Government Ethics Act requires people like Jack Franks to file what is known as a Statement of Economic Interest document.

Franks is very familiar with them as he filed them regularly as a State Representative.

Sec. 4A-107. Any person required to file a statement of economic interests under this Article who willfully files a false or incomplete statement shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

Pay particular attention to item #7, which requires him to disclose the name of any unit of government which employed the person making the statement during the preceding calendar year other than the unit or units of government in relation to which the person is required to file.

Note that in the 2016 State Representative filing he discloses public bodies stating his law firm represents them.

A clear indicator he knows how to fill out the form and provide an answer addressing the intent of the document, disclosure of interests.

However, his State Representative filing is the least of his concerns but does lay the foundation for what appears to be a commission of a Class A misdemeanor by Jack Franks.

When he ran for County Board Chairman, you will note he DID NOT disclose anything in item #7 except his employment with the State of Illinois, even though the filing date is just over a month after his State Representative filing that listed multiple public bodies.

How is it that all these public bodies listed on his State Representative SEI were not disclosed on his County Board Chairman Candidate SEI?

Was it because it would point to him being a political figure that makes his living on the backs of the public?

We suspect so, but either way, it has all the indications of a false “and” incomplete filing.

It gets better…or worse if you’re Franks.

Once elected as Chairman, he must once again file a SEI with the County.

Presto, he lists a whole bunch of public bodies again in item seven, however, something is missing.  Franks fails to disclose his employment for the previous year with the State of Illinois.

The law outlines that the filing of a false or incomplete SEI is a crime, provided it was done willfully.

Note that it does not state knowingly files a false or incomplete statement.

It states willfully, a much lower threshold for prosecution in our opinion.

Franks signed his name to them, physically on two of them, and electronically on the third.

Any prosecutor worth their salt could overcome a willfully filling position by comparing these three SEI filings.

That takes us to the remaining two points: false or incomplete.

Jack Franks sitting through Public Comments.

Without question his 2016 County Board Chairman “Candidate” SEI filing is incomplete for failure to disclose all those public bodies that he claimed he worked for in his 2016 filing with the State of Illinois just a month earlier.

You know, the same ones he did disclose after the election when it’s less important to the voters because we all know disclosure to voters before an election is not necessary, right Franks?

Without question, his 2017 County Board Chairman filing is incomplete for failure to disclose his State of Illinois employment and based on FOIA responses to date, probably false for listing units of government that have told us he was NOT employed by them.

Looking at all three filings and comparing them it appears to point to a willful filing of a false or incomplete SEI, which is a prosecutable offense, just as I informed them during the last county board meeting, which can be viewed below.

A formal criminal complaint is being drafted and will be provided to the authorities on this matter so that a proper criminal investigation of Jack Franks can take place.

For those that think this is no big deal, let me explain our concerns.

It was a big enough deal to throw people out of office for not filing in Kankakee.

It was a big enough deal to prosecute the Tri-State Fire Protection District Trustee for filing a false SEI in DuPage County.

It was a big enough deal to address this filing in our Illinois State Constitution under Article VIII Section 2.

It would be an even bigger deal if McHenry County ignores these alleged crimes and does nothing, as this person is obsessed with power and must face the same scrutiny as those he falsely alleged are criminals and should be prosecuted. Power unchecked is a danger to our Republic!

The first video is disclosure of the alleged crimes.

The second video provides additional malfeasance under the claimed leadership of Franks.

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Comments

Jack Franks Accused of Crime — 31 Comments

  1. With so many townships funding Franks, et all, is it any wonder Township consolidation has not been considered by former State Rep and Chairman Jack Franks?

  2. You read it first right here in this glorious misfit blog. Since our McHenry County Board Chairman was accused of a crime, I must ask where is the mugshot? We should have plenty to choose from our paparazzi freeloader sunshine blogger in-the-face picture archives…tic, tock, tic, tock…

  3. Any citizen is presumed innocent until proven guilty

    Good luck on that … but.

    Will our States Attorney act?

    Polotics at the local level is so

    very interesting.

    It’s the ‘Risen of the moon” and the people of McHenry County call you up to do justice.

  4. Chairman Jack D. Franks, your “rule with an iron-fist” regime over all McHenry County Board members continues to crash down right in front of our eyes and is nearly over as our heroic Edgar county vigilant canines came to our rescue and finally opened the eyes of the entire world to your abuses and reckless disregard of the rule of law. We owe our sunshine blogger an eternal debt of gratitude for being a beacon of brave journalism overcoming incredible hardship while publishing those in-the-face pictures of you taking a drink of water and shouting “Sit down” during the most recent Board meeting. A new dawn of democracy, freedom, civil discourse, and brotherhood comes upon all of us in beautiful McHenry county thanks to our sunshine blog (unfairly misrepresented as the misfit blog by our liberal enemies). 2018, please do not delay…tic, tock, tic, tock…

  5. Should the States Attorney or the Attorney General be responsible for filing charges?

    Would not be the first time the ‘Watchdogs’ have had someone ‘perp walked’ out of a council chambers.

  6. Did you see that small red button on the left side. That’s precisely what this is all about. Tic, tock, tic, tock…

  7. Like the Edgar County lunatics have the final say. They should stay home and clean up their own mess with Edgar County corruption. Who brought them Hear huh? Cal! Huh huh Cal? Anything to stir the pot right cal?

  8. I demand more respect for our paparazzi sunshine blogger. He has worked hard to get this headline for many months. Give him the credit…and also some free lunch…tic, tock, tic, tock…

  9. Let us pray. Dear Lord, we ask for your blessing to your son Mr. Jack D. Franks, Chairman of the McHenry County Board. Give him the forevision, patience, wisdom, courage, and the sensibility he needs to lead our McHenry County citizenry during these difficult times. All of us sunshine commenters, in the true spirit of family values, compassionate conservatism are united in good wishes for him and his family. In the spirit of self mortification, we gladly self-impose a penance of 5 hours of adoration of the Holy Sacrament. Amen. Tic, tock, tic, tock…

  10. Reading that was a waste of time.

    Zero.

    Zero chance his worst enemy would try to prosecute that.

  11. Soon former McHenry County Board Chairman Jack D. Franks will be prosecuted for fishing on his personal time…tic, tock, tic, tock…

  12. Edgar County Watchdogs go all over Illinois and expose corruption.

    Educate yourselves.

  13. Edgar County Watchdogs have been deemed investigative Reporters.

    More than any NW Herald Jack Franks lap dogs will ever be…and that’s not even the Watchdogs vocations!

  14. Jack Franks seems to like psychological projection.

    Accusing others of the thing he is doing hinself.

  15. Frivolous Frank’s on You Tube tells you all you need to know.

  16. The three “Statement of Economic Interest” (SEI) forms completed by Jack Franks are dated:

    – April 8, 2016 (as 63rd District State Representative, filed with Secretary of State): Jack Franks listed Village of Huntley, Village of Union, Greenwood Township, Alden Township, Hebron Township and has been appointed counsel in cases in Boone County.

    – May 20, 2016 (as candidate for McHenry County Board Chair, filed with McHenry County Clerk): Jack Franks listed State of Illinois.

    – April 11, 2017 (as elected McHenry County Board Chair, filed with McHenry County Clerk): Jack Franks listed Village of Huntley, Village of Union, Greenwood Township, Alden Township, and Hebron Township.

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

    Question 7 on each of the SEI forms is:

    “List the name of any unit of government which employed the person making the statement during the preceding calendar year other than the unit or units of government in relation to which the person is required to file.”

    +++++++++

    Thus as a response to question 7 on the May 20, 2016 SEI form Jack Franks did not list Village of Huntley, Village of Union, Greenwood Township, Alden Township, Hebron Township, or that he has been appointed counsel in cases in Boone County.

    ++++++++++

    Endorsements for Jack Franks as Democrat candidate for the McHenry County Board Chair election held November 8, 2016 included the Village of Huntley President Charles Sass and the Village of Union President Robert Wagner.

    http://www.franksformchenry.com/endorsements-for-jack-franks

    There was no mention on that Jack Franks campaign website that law firm in which he is a partner (Franks, Gerkin, & McKenna) has had a business relationship with the Village of Huntley or Village of Union.

    One has to look up the Statement of Economic Interest form filed with the Secretary of State or County Clerk to obtain that information; with the exception, once again, that the May 20, 2016 SEI did not include the Village of Huntley or the Village of Union.

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

    The SEI on the Secretary of State website are located here:

    ilsos.gov/economicinterest

    The SEI for Jack Franks are listed under the “Representative in the General Assembly” option in the pull down menu under “agency.”

  17. The McHenry County Clerk’s website does not include an online lookup of the Statement of Economic Interest filings.

    co.mchenry.il.us/county-government/departments-a-i/county-clerk/economic-interest

    Or if there is such a lookup, it is not easy to locate.

    So apparently one has to submit a FOIA request or visit the county clerk office to obtain a copy of the Statement of Economic interest for a given person.

    Lousy transparency.

  18. “The address is not unknown…I know exactly where I live’
    Priceless.

    IllinoisLeaks.com is one heck of an organization!

    Thank you Watchdogs for your work thus far.

    I’m sure there’s more to uncover.

    Where do we send donations?

  19. Jack Franks sure is a cuddley critter.

    Not so good for him when he ends up in the big house with Blago.

    And that perfectly coiffed hair and manicured hands.

    The boys behind bars are sure gonna love that.

    His dance card will be full in no time.

  20. Here are more articles about the Statement of Economic Interest forms completed by Jack Franks.

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

    McHenry County Blog

    Jack Franks Did Not Live Up to Requirements of Economic Disclosure

    June 19, 2017

    http://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/06/19/jack-franks-did-not-live-up-to-requirements-of-economic-disclosure

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

    McHenry County Blog

    What Jack Franks Wants to Reveal About His Wealth

    June 12, 2017

    http://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/06/12/what-jack-franks-wants-to-reveal-about-his-wealth

  21. There are some other problems and points of interest with the Statement of Economic Interests document completed by Jack Franks on April 8, 2016 (as a State Representative), which was filed with the Illinois Secretary of State office on April 13, 2016.

    http://www.edgarcountywatchdogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Jack-Franks-SEI-as-State-Rep-2016.pdf

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

    First point

    Here is the three sentence question:

    “1. List the name and instrument of ownership in any entity doing business in the State of Illinois, in which the ownership interest held by the person at the date of filing is in excess of $5,000 fair market value or from which dividends in excess of $1,200 were derived during the preceding calendar year.

    (In the case of real estate, location thereof shall be listed by street address, or if none, then by legal description.)

    No time or demand deposit in a financial institution, nor any debt instrument need be listed.”

    ———

    In response to that question, Jack Franks listed:

    Business Entity – 777 LLC

    However under “Instrument of Ownership” is left blank.

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

    Second point

    “5. List the identity of any compensated lobbyist with whom the person making the statement maintains a close economic association, including the name of the lobbyist and specifying the legislative matter or matters which are the object of the lobbying activity, and describing the general type of economic activity of the client or principal on whose behalf that person is lobbying.”

    ———

    Jack Franks listed:

    Lobbyist – Michael Alexander

    Legislative Matter – General Lobbyist

    However “Client or Principal” is left blank.

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

    What is the “close economic association” that Jack Franks had with Michael Alexander?

    Does Mr. Franks still have that “close economic association” with Mr. Alexander?

    If so, should that have been disclosed on the May 20, 2016 (as candidate for County Board Chair) and April 11, 2017 (as County Board Chair) State of Economic Interest (SEI) documents?

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

    Michael Alexander is a partner at the lobbying firm Alexander, Borovicka & O’Shea Government Solutions (ABO): abogov.com/About_Mike_Alexander.html

    Mr. Alexander is also of-counsel at the lobbying firm, The National Group LLP (TNG):
    thenationalgroup.net/team/of-counsel

    Aexander Borovicka O’Shea is listed as an affiliate of TNG: thenationalgroup.net/team/affiliates

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

    TNG is the Federal lobbyist company selected by McHenry County.

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

    On May 16, 2017, the McHenry County Board approved Board Agenda Item # 16.2.A12 (Resolution # 6024) Authorizing the Entry into an Agreement with The National Group LLP (TNG) for Lobbyist Services by a vote of 13 – 8, with two members absent and Andrew Gasser having resigned effective May 14, 2017 and his replacement not yet having been selected.

    The agenda, agenda packet, minutes, minutes packet, and audio for that meeting are here:

    mchenrycountyil.iqm2.com/Citizens/SplitView.aspx?Mode=Video&MeetingID=4238&Format=Minutes

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

    OpenSecrets.org lists Federal lobbying activity by The National Group LLC (TNG) on behalf of McHenry County from 2006 – 2017, with the exception of 2016 (the site reports no Federal lobbying expenditures by McHenry County in 2016):

    opensecrets.org/lobby/clientsum.php?id=D000053527

    The “Lobbyist” tab at that URL lists Matthew Trant of TNG as the lobbyist assigned to McHenry County.

    There is a lot of detail in the various tabs on the website.

  22. Back to the first point in the 09/27/2017 at 1:24 pm comment above.

    In response to Question 1, Jack Franks did not list the “Instrument of Ownership” listed for the “777 LLC” “Business Entity” on the April 8, 2016 Statement of Economic Interest (SEI) document filed with the Secretary of State.

    Looking at the Statement of Economic Interest documents filed by Jack Franks:

    April 11, 2017 (county filing) – “Shareholder” listed as the “Instrument of Ownership” for 777 LLC.

    May 20, 2016 (county filing) – “Stock” listed as the “Instrument of Ownership” for 777 LLC.

    April 8, 2016 (state filing) – No “Instrument of Ownership” listed for 777 LLC.

    2009 – 2015: “Stock” listed as the “Instrument of Ownership” for 777 LLC.

    2004 – 2008: 777 LLC is not listed as a “Business Entity.”

    Apparently Jack Franks had a stock instrument of ownership in 777 LLC beginning in 2009.

    And he did not disclose the instrument of ownership for 777 LLC on the April 11, 2016 Statement of Economic of Interest filing.

    And another point is that on the April 11, 2017 filing, the Instrument of Ownership for 777 LLC was listed as “Shareholder” but his responses to the same question on the same form (same date) for the State Bank Group, and for Bricton, is listed as “stock.”

    Is a “Shareholder” instrument of ownership different than a “stock” instrument of ownership?

    Why the different choice of words for 777 LLC compared to State Bank Group and Bricton Group?

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

    Here are more errors by Jack Franks.

    This time his responses to question 2 of the SEI form dated April 8, 2016 (stamped by the Secretary of State as filed on April 13, 2016).

    Question 2 states, “List the name, address, and type of practice of any professional organization in which the person making the statement was an officer, director, associate, partner or proprietor or served in any advisory capacity, from which income in excess of $1,200 was derived during the preceding calendar year.”

    There are three columns to be completed to respond to the question.

    The three columns are:

    Column 1 – Name

    Column 2 – Address

    Column 3 – Type of Practice.

    Jack Franks provided incorrect answers in Column 3 for each of the 5 professional organizations he listed.

    Rather than listing the Type of Practice, he listed his position.

    Here they are blow by blow.

    For “Franks, Gerkin, & McKenna PC” Mr. Franks lists the “Type of Practice” as “Partner.”

    For “State Bank Group” Mr. Franks lists the “Type of Practice” as “Chairman of the Board.”

    For “Bricton Group” Mr. Franks lists the “Type of Practice” as “Director.”

    For “First National Bank” Mr. Franks lists the “Type of Practice” as “Director of Advisory Board.”

    For “777, LLC Mr. Franks lists the “Type of Practice” as “Director.”

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

    Next issue is further delving into the lobbyist question on the SEI form.

    On the following Statement of Economic Interest (SEI) documents Jack Franks listed (or didn’t list) the lobbyist Michael Alexander when responding to question 5 about having a “close economic association” with a lobbyist:

    May 20, 2016 & April 11, 2017 (county filings) – Michael Alexander is not listed

    2012 – April 8, 2016 (state filings) – Michael Alexander is listed

    2004 – 2011 (state filings) – Michael Alexander is not listed.

    In each of the 5 years that Michael Alexander is listed, no response is provided for the “Client or Principal” associated with the lobbyist and Jack Franks.

    A related question is does Jack Franks no longer have a “close economic association” with Michael Alexander?

    Another related question is what was the “close economic association” with Michael Alexander?

    Another related issue is that McHenry County issued a Request for Qualifications for a Federal lobbyist days after Jack Franks took his oath of office.

    As a result of that process, the County board chose The National Group (TNG) as its lobbyist.

    Did the county board members realize that Michael Alexander:

    – Is listed on previous Jack Franks statement of economic interest forms from 2012 – April 20, 2016 as having a “close economic association” with Jack Franks.

    – Is a partner at the lobbyist firm ABO.

    – ABO is listed on the TNG website as an “affiliate” of TNG.

    – Michael Alexander is listed on the TNG website as “of-counsel” at TNG.

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

    As a reminder.

    The SEI filings for state employees, office holders, and appointees are on the Secretary of State website located here:

    ilsos.gov/economicinterest

    On that website, just type in “Franks” for a “Name” and leave “Agency” as “Agency Name.”

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

    There are other issues with the Statement of Economic Interest (SEI) forms for Jack Franks.

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