McHenry County Blog

When 90 people come to a candidates’ night in a two precinct township, I guess one could assume something was up.

Standing room only.

Something about renting out the township hall by incumbent Ersel Schuster.

Schuster was defeated by challenger James Kagel, a Democrat, by a preliminary vote of 500-216.

Better than 2-1.

The backbone of Kagel’s campaign was former Democratic Party Chairman John Bartman and his mother Rosemary, a Seneca Township Trustee. John Bartman was hired by the Rod Blagojevich administration to work in the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Here is something I got via email about the meeting:

A bright pink flyer was sent to 1,200 homes in Seneca Township inviting everyone to a candidates forum for the thee road commissioner candidates and the two supervisor candidates.

Latecomers among the 90 who turned out, were left literally standing out in the
hallway.

The idea for this forum was started when a group of concerned residents were having breakfast out and decided it was time to let the candidates speak for themselves and end some misinformation that had been circulating in the township.

The forum began with the road commissioners.

Each candidate talked for a minute and then turns were taken answering written questions from the audience, with each candidate responding to each question.

The supervisors went next in the same fashion.

One topic of note was the subject of renting out the town hall. Kagel felt it was a bad idea because of the liability involved.

Supervisor Schuster responded by saying that the hall was the property of the voters and renting out the facility was their right. She explained that the liability issue could be addressed with a simple document that is easily created.
Schuster pointed out that the new addition was completed without any debt or tax increases.

The parking lot was filled beyond capacity and everyone was cordial.

Not much. If anyone would like to fill me in on the issues of the campaign, feel free.

Schuster also serves on the McHenry County Board, having been elected last fall.

= = = = =
The head shot is of Ersel Schuster.

“Ask and you shall receive.”

Jesus said that, but it’s pretty good advice, regardless of what you want.

It is obvious that if one does not ask, one will not get.

So, when I saw on Capitol Fax Blog that Governor Rod Blagojevich (D-Chicago) was attacking State Rep. Jack Franks (D-Marengo), I called the governor’s press office.

I asked for the memo.

And I got it.
Daily Herald reporter John Patterson started his story this way:

“On the same day a suburban lawmaker suggested it’s time to officially consider whether Gov. Rod Blagojevich should be impeached, the governor produced a memo showing that lawmaker recommended family and friends for state jobs.”

Let’s remember the high hopes that Democrats statewide had when Blagojevich took office.

He had picked up on Franks’ bulk purchase of prescription drugs campaign. Franks told me at about the same time this memo was sent that he was working closely with the governor’s office on legislative language.

So, it is not surprising at all that Franks would have sent a memo with names of supporters for whom he wanted the governor to give appointments.

I have published above a copy of the memo FAXed to me by the governor’s press office. You can enlarge it by clicking on it.

But, I’ll re-type it to make its contents easier to read.

M E M O

To: Margaret Houlihan

From: St. Rep. Jack D. Franks

RE: Positions with Gov. Blagojevich Administration

DATE: February 27, 2003

The following are individuals who we had requested be considered for jobs with the Blagojevich administration. They are prioritized as follows:

1. Deborah Wolf Franks for a commission;
2. Herbert H. Franks for a commission;
3. David B. Franks, a non-paid position with Boxing Commission;
4. John Bartman, a position with IDOT;
5. Michael Dalessandro, position as Highway Maintainer with IDOT;
6. Judge Erin O’Connell-Diaz, position with the Illinois Commission;
7. Nancy Vazzano, managerial position with any public service department;
8. Fred Shay, management position, primarily Info Technology and IDOT Aviation;
9. Susan Van Weelden, Commission;
10. Bill Clow, any public service department;
11. Mary Kennedy, any public service department

Patterson wrote,

“Franks said three of the 12 were appointed to posts or got a job, including his father, who was named to an unpaid post on the Illinois Courts Commission. Franks’ father is the former president of the Illinois State Bar Association and Rep. Franks said he’s ‘eminently qualified.’

“Franks was unsuccessful in recommending his wife and brother for state posts.”

Erin O’Connell-Diaz, a Bull Valley resident was appointed and reappointed to the Illinois Commerce Commission.

Former McHenry County Democratic Party Chairman John Bartman got a job with the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Click to enlarge the memo’s image.

“Ask and you shall receive.”

Jesus said that, but it’s pretty good advice, regardless of what you want.

It is obvious that if one does not ask, one will not get.

So, when I saw on Capitol Fax Blog that Governor Rod Blagojevich (D-Chicago) was attacking State Rep. Jack Franks (D-Marengo), I called the governor’s press office.

I asked for the memo.

And I got it.
Daily Herald reporter John Patterson started his story this way:

“On the same day a suburban lawmaker suggested it’s time to officially consider whether Gov. Rod Blagojevich should be impeached, the governor produced a memo showing that lawmaker recommended family and friends for state jobs.”

Let’s remember the high hopes that Democrats statewide had when Blagojevich took office.

He had picked up on Franks’ bulk purchase of prescription drugs campaign. Franks told me at about the same time this memo was sent that he was working closely with the governor’s office on legislative language.

So, it is not surprising at all that Franks would have sent a memo with names of supporters for whom he wanted the governor to give appointments.

I have published above a copy of the memo FAXed to me by the governor’s press office. You can enlarge it by clicking on it.

But, I’ll re-type it to make its contents easier to read.

M E M O

To: Margaret Houlihan

From: St. Rep. Jack D. Franks

RE: Positions with Gov. Blagojevich Administration

DATE: February 27, 2003

The following are individuals who we had requested be considered for jobs with the Blagojevich administration. They are prioritized as follows:

1. Deborah Wolf Franks for a commission;
2. Herbert H. Franks for a commission;
3. David B. Franks, a non-paid position with Boxing Commission;
4. John Bartman, a position with IDOT;
5. Michael Dalessandro, position as Highway Maintainer with IDOT;
6. Judge Erin O’Connell-Diaz, position with the Illinois Commission;
7. Nancy Vazzano, managerial position with any public service department;
8. Fred Shay, management position, primarily Info Technology and IDOT Aviation;
9. Susan Van Weelden, Commission;
10. Bill Clow, any public service department;
11. Mary Kennedy, any public service department

Patterson wrote,

“Franks said three of the 12 were appointed to posts or got a job, including his father, who was named to an unpaid post on the Illinois Courts Commission. Franks’ father is the former president of the Illinois State Bar Association and Rep. Franks said he’s ‘eminently qualified.’

“Franks was unsuccessful in recommending his wife and brother for state posts.”

Erin O’Connell-Diaz, a Bull Valley resident was appointed and reappointed to the Illinois Commerce Commission.

Former McHenry County Democratic Party Chairman John Bartman got a job with the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Click to enlarge the memo’s image.