McHenry County Blog

It won’t be Ghostbusters.

The Senate roll call of override of Governor Pat Quinn’s Senate Bill 9. which overrides an Illinois Commerce Commission decision,  is below:

The Senate roll call on the veto override of Senate Bill 9, the legislation that would raise electricity rates for Commonwealth Edison and Ameren.

Besides two of three State Senators representing McHenry County–Pam Althoff and Karen McConnaughay–potential candidates for the Republican nomination for Governor–Bill Brady and Kirk Dillard–voted for the electric rate hike.

State Senator Dan Duffy voted to uphold the Governor’s veto.

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The House voted Wednesday to override the veto. You can see who voted in favor of raising electric rates in the roll call below:

The House veto override vote on Senate Bill 9, the bill that raises electric rates.

Voting in favor were all local state reperesentatives:

• Jack Franks
• David McSweeney
• Tim Schmitz
• Mike Tryon
• Barbara Wheeler

A press release from State Senator Dan Duffy:

Dan Duffy

Duffy Passes Bi-Partisan Pension Reform Measure

SPRINGFIELD – On Wednesday, May 15, the Illinois Senate unanimously passed House Bill 140, a bi-partisan measure sponsored by State Senator Dan Duffy (R-Lake Barrington).

Duffy worked with State Rep. Jack Franks (D-Marengo) to pass the legislation, which would eliminate benefits packages currently afforded to part-time members of state-funded transit boards.

“Illinois is notorious for its large number of wasteful boards and commissions,” said Duffy.

“While we’re financing these boards, paying their members often exorbitant salaries as well as benefits, we’re not making payments on pensions for teachers, firefighters, and policemen.

“Benefits for these boards and commissions are low hanging fruit, and are a good place to start in making up for the $100 billion unfunded pension liability in Illinois.”

House Bill 140 stipulates that members of the Regional Transportation Authority Board, Suburban Bus Board, Commuter Rail Board, and Chicago Transit Authority Board are not eligible for pension or insurance benefits if they become a member of these boards on or after the effective date of the legislation.

“For members being reappointed to these boards, previously accrued benefits will remain unchanged, but all benefits will be eliminated for any future terms of service.

Bi-partisan effort is largely to thank for the passage of this legislation.

“I have enjoyed working on this truly bi-partisan piece of legislation with my house colleague Democratic Rep. Jack Franks,” said Duffy.

“Rep. Franks and I agreed fully on this issue and by coming together we were able to pass this legislation unanimously in both houses of the General Assembly.

“Now it’s up to Governor Quinn to sign this bill into law and help us cut some waste out of our overburdened pension system.”

McHenry County Blog has chronicled the efforts of Marengo Democrat Jack Franks to get noticed by media talking about who is running for what statewide.

Jack Franks is mentioned on the web site “Trial Balloon” as looking at running for Attorney General.

He was pretty successful during the summer of 2009 as a result of family and friends dumping big money into his campaign fund.

Although a big check was returned to his father Herb, Franks still has one of the biggest pots of money around–money that I sincerely doubt he could raise today with the $5,000 limit on individual contributions and $10,000 on corporations.

Jack Franks apparently has had enough of being State Representative.

By way of Capitol Fax Blog, I found his name on a new web site, “Trial Balloons.”

It is there along with Attorney General Lisa Madigan (because she hasn’t said she won’t run for re-election) and a bunch of others:

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• Anita Alvarez
• John Bradley
• Tom Dart
• Jack Franks
• David Hoffman
• Lisa Madigan
• Kwame Raoul
• Jesse Ruiz
• Sheila Simon

Franks’ vote on same-sex marriage will probably be a good predictor of whether he is preparing for a statewide run.

He has been moving to the left as his time in office has increased and his ambitions have risen. He voted for civil unions and was featured in the Windy City Times presenting a certificate to gay teen who did something heroic in Zion (or nearby).

Five years or so ago he also modified his Pro-Choice views to be radical enough to be endorsed by Personal PAC. (Personal PAC is so radical that it will not endorse candidates who are not in favor of abortion up to the day of full-term delivery.)

Demonstrators at Rep. Jack Franks’ Woodstock office.

Being State Representative must not be rewarding enough for Marengo Democrat Jack Franks.

Four years ago at the end of June he convinced family and friends to transfer about a half a million to his campaign fund.

That got him mentioned as a candidate for Governor.

But he ran for State Rep. again.

Today, the Chicago Sun-Times has a story entitled,

Jack Franks for Lt. Gov? State rep looking at statewide run — undecided on gay marriage

The two are linked, perhaps because it is unlikely a candidate running in a statewide Democratic primary election could win if he or she opposed same-sex marriage.

Confirming his statewide ambitions, the article starts, “State Rep. Jack Franks (D-Marengo) confirmed Tuesday that he is setting his sights on a run for higher office, possibly for Lieutenant Governor.”

Under new law candidates for Governor select their running mates and they run as a ticket, linked on the ballot.

Franks says he is not interested in running with Governor Pat Quinn.

Much of the maneuvering for statewide office is dependent on whether Attorney General Lisa Madigan runs for re-election or Governor. She outraised Quinn in fund raising this past quarter.

In February, 2011, I made an effort to analyze how competitive Franks’ campaign fund was with other potential statewide candidates.  You can read it here.

While I probably dismissed some Cook County politicians I should not have, among Democratic Party state legislators, Franks had the third highest amount in the bank.

Reporter Natasha Korecki got Franks to talk about his statewide ambitions.

The story did not make the print edition.

Information has reached me that State Rep. Jack Franks and State Senator Pam Althoff will not be at Sullivan’s Grocery in Harvard.

The store has apparently been sold and is now called Cash Savers.

So, same address, same time, but different name for the grocery.

Saturday, April 6, 2013
10:00am –11:00am
Cash Savers
1299 S. Division St.
Harvard

State Senator Pam Althoff and State Rep. Jack Franks offer themselves for an hour in Harvard on Saturday, April 6th.

They will be at Sullivan’s Foods, which is located at 1299 S. Division St.

Look at the photos of those mentioned for statewide office in the Chicago Sun-Times analysis of what would happen if Lisa Madigan does not run for re-election.

The attentiion-getting on the front page of the Chicago Sun-Times’ Sunday edition is what will happen in the political arena if Attorney General Lisa Madigan runs for Governor instead of Attorney General.

Note our local worthy State Rep. Jack Franks (D-Marengo) is not included.

There is another graphic inside with the story.

Three Democratic Party lawyer-public officials are mentioned as possible replacements for Attorney General Lisa Madigan: State Senator Kwame Raoul, Lt. Gov. Shiela Simon and Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart. Not mentioned is State Rep. Jack Franks.

Jack Franks courts constituent at the McHenry Business Expo in 2011.

Got this email from an opponent of same-sex marriage:

“Rep. Jack Franks will be at the Johnsburg Business and Craft Expo at Johnsburg High School tomorrow (Saturday, March 16).

“The Expo will be taking place from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

“Rep. Franks will not be there for the full time, but he will have a booth at the Expo that will be staffed by his district office staff.

“If you’re planning to attend the Expo, please take a moment to stop by the booth and express your opinion on the same-gender marriage bill to Rep. Franks and his staff.

“The more comments they hear from us, the more aware they will be of the district residents’ concerns.

“Please encourage others to stop by too.

“Let’s create a constant drumbeat of concern over this issue for Rep. Franks.”

Johnsburg High School is located at: 2002 W. Ringwood Road, Johnsburg, IL

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If anyone goes, I’d appreciate a photo.

Joe Edwards

Patriots United’s Joe Edwards traveled to Marengo Saturday morning to talk to Jack Franks at Wisted’s Supermarket. Here is his report:

“Many thanks to Eileen Vogel, Julia Crenshaw, Nancy Cole and Joyce Story for getting the word out on Jack Franks table top visit at Wisteds in Marengo. Key things we learned and had reinforced for us all:

1. Of the estimated 20-25 people there, all but several were in attendance to reinforce traditional marriage for the sake of our children and urging Jack to oppose redefinition of marriage. There were excellent remarks on behalf of our children as to why the institution of marriage should not be trifled with
2. Jack’s comments:

• He believes this issue should not be even discussed at this time with the financial crisis we have in our state
• He admitted not having read the bill
• He thought there was adequate religious protection in the bill and corrected by citizenry
• He welcomed the input, received several documents including Dr. Morse’ testimony in Springfield that explain why this is bad public policy and Jack promised to read them to be better informed
• He remained non-committal as to his vote

“I personally spoke to Jack one-on-one afterwards, thanking him for his time and informed him his staff was not acknowledging emails or calls of concerned constituents.

“He indicated disappointment with this information and promised to speak to his staff.

“I know most all of us agree that civility is the best policy in these forums.

“As conservatives, we wish to treat everyone with dignity, even in our frustration and when we feel we are not being treated in kind.

“Giving people the courtesy of listening, finishing their thoughts and only then responding is always in order.

“I was very encouraged and honored to be among such caring people who attended and treated Jack respectfully.

“To the one gentleman who simply could not cease his criticism, let’s extend grace toward him and encourage him to trust in the Lord during these trying times.

“We all share his frustration but I believe we realize there is a kinder path that can be a powerful witness as we speak the truth, in love.

“Let’s keep the pressure on in the days ahead.

“And if you have any strong articles or white papers that you believe bolster our arguments, now is the time to get them into Jack’s hands.

“We know what the Bible says on this matter.

“But our legislative body needs more than Biblical proof-texting.

“Some scoff at the Bible.

“So let’s give them what they can absorb.

“They need sound arguments from academia and they are out there.

“The key is to get Jack to read them.”

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Anyone with photos from the event is invited to email them to McHenry County Blog. Look at the left side of the page to find the email button.

Demonstrators at Jack Franks’ office.

A friend of McHenry County Blog sent us the following information yesterday:

“Just got a recorded call letting me know that our State Representative from the 63rd District, Jack Franks, and his wife Debby will be at the Wisted’s Supermarket 21775 W Grant Hwy, Marengo, IL.

“The recording stated that they will be there to listen to what voters have to say from 9 to 11am on Saturday, March 9, 2013.”

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Perhaps constituents who have repeated tried to talk to him about his position on gay marriage will come see him.