All sorts of politicians cover their walls with photos of themselves with higher ranking elected officials.

The problem with that, at least in Illinois, is that politicians sometimes get indicted, even convicted.

I collected buttons instead.

Safer.

Now, comes to my attention two signatures on petitions for McHenry County Chairman Jack Franks re-election.

One is from former, long-time Circuit Clerk Bill Kays, officially known as Vernon W. Kays, Jr.

Franks himself asked Kays to sign.

Another is for Ringwood Village Board President Richard Mack, a one-time Chairman of the McHenry Township Republican Central Committee.

Democratic Party Precinct Committeeman Martha Swanson, who serves on the Ringwood Village Board, solicited Mack’s support.

Both signatures were affixed in November.

That was before Franks was inundated with publicity about a State Police investigation into alleged sexual misconduct.

I wonder if they still support Franks re-election.