McHenry County Blog

State Rep. David McSweeney is on a roll.

The Chicago Tribune article today about State Rep. Dave McSweeney’s bill to give more rights to taxpayers when local governments try to issue non-referendum bonds. The bill was co-sponsored by Democratic Party State Rep. Jack Franks.

Yesterday he passed a bill stimulated by McHenry County College’s potential of borrowing over $40 million to almost double the size of the campus, plus build a health and fitness club that would compete with Centegra’s Health Bridge, the Sage YMCA and numerous storefront fitness clubs.

Today, he has passed a Constitutional Amendment that would abolish the office of Lieutenant Governor.

His press release is below:

IL House Members Approve Eliminating the Office of Lieutenant Governor

David McSweeney

Springfield –State Representative David McSweeney (R-Barrington Hills) passed House Joint Resolution by Constitutional Amendment (HJRCA 18) as chief sponsor, a measure that would eliminate the job of Lieutenant Governor and be placed on the 2014 ballot for voters to approve. McSweeney garnered bipartisan support by citing that the measure will save the State money and eliminate redundancies.

HJRCA 18 passed the Illinois House today by a vote of 81-30.

“I applaud my colleagues who joined me today and had the courage to call for greater government efficiency,” said McSweeney. “I’m glad this comes during the same week that Illinois House members also approved a bill to reduce our own compensation.”

The bill will have a positive fiscal impact on the state’s budget as it would eliminate the salary and operating costs of the Office of the Lt. Governor. For fiscal year 2013, the Lieutenant Governor’s salary was $135,900 and total office appropriations were approximately $2 million.

“We are in a fiscal crisis and we must continue to take more steps like this to get back on track,” added McSweeney.

HJRCA 18 accompanies other cost reduction legislation filed by McSweeney. To date, McSweeney has declined a legislative pension, proposed to end all legislative pensions and has voluntarily cut his own pay and district office expenses by 10%.

Under the legislation, the Attorney General would be next in line to assume the duties of Governor if necessary. The legislation would be effective for the term beginning in 2019.

Arizona, Maine, New Hampshire, Oregon, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Wyoming all do not have the office of Lt. Governor.

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As noted in the press release, the Attorney General would become Governor should a Governor step down.  House Speaker Mike Madigan’s daughter Lisa Madigan is currently Attorney General.

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.

After the Republican Party’s State Convention this summer I wrote an article entitled,

Auditioning at the State GOP Convention to be Illinois’ Scott Walker

It was about how Joe Walsh energized the crowd by trashing the way Democrat House Speaker Mike Madigan has allowed State government to hit the skids while he has been in control. You can read the article here.
Among other things, Walsh said,

“No one person should run a state.

“He is a king.

“He is a dictator.

“He is corrupt.

“He symbolizes everything that is wrong in Illinois.

“Shame on us for not having the courage and the fortitude to say that.”

Others auditioned, too, including Party Chairman Pat Brady, who also had harsh words about Madigan.

You can hear Walsh’s entire speech on Warner Tood Houston’s Prairie State Report video below:

Now Capitol Fax Blog has posted a new Facebook account from Joe Walsh, which you see, along with Walsh’s first post below:

Joe Walsh’s new Facebook page.

“Speaking to people all over Illinois. They are engaged, excited and ready to take this state back from the Madigan Empire. #Freedom #Liberty”

Can you imagine Walsh taking on Mike Madigan on concentration of power, especially if Lisa Madigan is running for Governor?

Attorney General Lisa Madigan successfully defended the 88% toll tax hike in Cook County Court today.

A press release from Jim Tobin’s Taxpayers United of America:

No thanks, Lisa!
A Madigan Christmas gift: 90% Toll-Tax Increase on January 1st!!!

December 20, 2011: Judge Rita Novak, of the Cook County Circuit Court, granted Lisa Madigan’s motion to dismiss a lawsuit that would have stopped the January 1st toll/tax increase.

The suit, brought by Jim Tobin, President of Taxpayers United of America, (“TUA”), also sought Court declarations that the Tollway Authority is required by law to convert all toll highways to freeways, and to dissolve itself. Lisa Madigan had those parts of the lawsuit also dismissed.

Many have called the TUA offices to join the class action against the Tollway.

“Everyone knows, except Lisa Madigan, that we were supposed to be toll free in 1973,” Jim Tobin said.

Madigan’s “gift” comes on top of the news that the typical American family will have spent $4,155 filling up the car this year, which is a record.

Madigan’s “gift” also comes at a time when unemployment in Illinois is 10%. Just how hard the 90% toll tax increase will hit struggling Illinois families and businesses, remains to be seen.

The plaintiffs were given permission to file an amended complaint within 28 days. Alternatively, they could appeal within 30 days. The next court date, to advise the Judge which route the plaintiffs have chosen, is set for February 7, 2012 at 10:00a.m. in Room 2402 of the Richard J. Daley Center.

See you in court on February 7th!

A press release from the Illinois Attorney General’s Office:

ATTORNEY GENERAL MADIGAN FILES IMMIGRATION FRAUD CASES

Madigan Joins FTC Initiative in Combating Immigration Services Scams

Chicago – Attorney General Lisa Madigan today filed two lawsuits against Chicago area immigration servicers for accepting more than $30,000 from consumers but failing to help them with their immigration status.

Madigan, along with the Federal Trade Commission, filed the suits as part of a national crackdown against illegal immigration service providers found to have defrauded consumers across the country.

Madigan filed

• suit in Cook County Circuit Court against Martha Fernandez, of West Chicago, and Corrianne Chairez, of Chicago, and
• filed a second lawsuit in McHenry County Circuit Court against Calvin Meziere, of Huntley,

for using a variety of misleading and deceptive tactics to convince consumers that the government was considering their requests for a work permit, permanent residency or U.S. citizenship.

Lisa Madigan

“The immigration process is often intimidating and confusing, which is why many people seek assistance,” Attorney General Madigan said. “But unfortunately, much of the help offered is expensive and illegitimate. That’s why it’s so important to know the warning signs of an immigration scam and where to find honest assistance.”

In her suit against Meziere, the Attorney General alleges the defendant duped a group of immigrant workers in 2009 into paying him large upfront fees to help them obtain work permits and thus the ability to travel freely in and out of the United States.

Madigan alleges Meziere charged the consumers for credit checks, improving their bad credit history and for fake citizenship exams – all steps he falsely claimed were necessary to gain a permit.

Consumers reported to Madigan’s office losing at least $25,000 to Meziere in the scheme.

Madigan’s suit against Fernandez and Chairez alleges they conspired to solicit upfront fees based on promises of helping two immigrants with their immigration paperwork, charging them more than $10,000 for work that was never completed. Despite Fernandez’s promises of a refund, it never arrived.

The Attorney General is asking the court to enter a permanent injunction against the three defendants barring them from providing immigration services in Illinois.

The lawsuit also asks the court to order the defendants to pay restitution to consumers, civil penalties of $50,000 for violating the Consumer Fraud Act, and an additional $50,000 for each violation committed with the intent to defraud. Assistant Attorneys General Andrew Dougherty and Vivian Velasco Paz are handling the case for Madigan’s Consumer Fraud Bureau.

Attorney General Madigan urged the public to learn how to identify potential immigration scams and find legitimate sources for help with the immigration process. By state law, immigration service providers should:

Provide you with a written contract in English and your native language
Provide you with a three-day right to cancel your contract
Return all documents to you upon demand
Register with the Illinois Attorney General’s office

Finally, immigration service providers may not provide legal advice or accept fees for legal advice unless they are licensed attorneys. To check the status of a service provider or to file a complaint, please call the Attorney General’s office at:

Chicago 1-800-386-5438
Springfield 1-800-243-0618
Carbondale 1-800-243-0607
Spanish-language Hotline: 1-866-310-8398

When the Public Access Division of the Illinois Attorney General’s Office ruled that the names of Firearm Owner’s Identification Card holders under the Freedom of Information Act, gun owners hit the roof.  I admit to not knowing what the problem was.  It seemed to me that when the crooks found out where the guns were, they would rob the neighbors’ houses instead.  I have a FOID card.

The Illinois State Police said that it would fight Lisa Madigan’s ruling, but passage of legislation prohibiting the FOID card names being release would avoid a court fight.

Today State Rep. Mike Tryon reports below on House passage of the bill pushed by the Illinois State Rifle Association and the NRA.

Legislators Protect FOID Card Holders’ Rights through Passage of HB 3500

Springfield… State Representative Mike Tryon (R-Crystal Lake) joined many of his colleagues on Friday in protecting the privacy rights of Firearm Owner’s Identification Card holders across Illinois.

House Bill 3500 adds an exemption to the Illinois Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) protecting the personal information of Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) Card holders. The bill prohibits State and local governments from publicly releasing the names or other private information of FOID card holders or applicants. HB 3500 passed the Illinois House of Representatives on a vote of 98-12.

Mike Tryon

“This is a major victory for law-abiding gun owners in Illinois,” said Tryon, a co-sponsor of the bill. “Those who choose to exercise their second amendment rights are entitled to a certain level of privacy and today’s vote helps to ensure that these people’s names and personal information may remain confidential.”

House Bill 3500 was filed in response to a ruling by Attorney General Lisa Madigan that declared the names of FOID Card holders to be public information that must be disclosed if requested through a FOIA request. The Illinois State Police and the National Rifle Association both opposed Madigan’s ruling.

“Releasing the names and addresses of people who have firearms in their homes would make it easy for criminals to target locations where they could steal guns,” said Tryon. “Making that list public would also let criminals know which homes they could break into without fear of encountering an individual who protects himself with a gun.”

The bill will now be considered by the Illinois Senate.

With the backdrop of the appellate court having invalidated the law that imposed higher taxes on liquor and candy, plus the spreading of video gambling machines all over the state, State Rep. Dan Duffy made the following comments:

Dan Duffy

I agree with the “single subject rule” in our Constitution.

As you know I am a big supporter of road projects.

I voted against the Capital Bill because in addition to the road projects, they filled the bill with video poker and taxes on everything we eat, drink and enjoy.

I agree the omnibus Capital Bill needs to be separated into different bills.

What about the clause in our Illinois Constitution that demands we balance our budget every year?

We haven’t balanced our budget in 10 years!

The current leadership in Springfield has blatantly ignored the Illinois Constitution.

Who is going to sue the state and enforce that clause in our Constitution?

I would think the Attorney General of our state would do it but since she is the daughter of the Speaker, that would make for uncomfortable holiday gatherings.

Somebody else will also need to take the lead on that very important issue.

The final roll call on Senate Bill 5505. No Republicans voted for the tax hike bill appointed Governor Pat Quinn wanted last year, it did the day he was sworn in.

By  a vote of 60-57, sixty Democrats voted to raise Illinois income taxes by 67% Monday night.

Assuming that Governor Pat Quinn signs the bill that House Speaker Mike Madigan muscled through the lower chamber, Madigan daughter Attorney General Lisa Madigan will be a perfect position to take Quinn out in the 2014 gubernatorial primary election.

As you can see from the roll call found online, none of McHenry County’s state representatives (Mike Tryon, Jack Franks and Mark Beaubien) voted for the bill.

If you paid $1,000 in state income taxes last year, your bill this year will be $1,750.

Gone is the informal cook's characterture of last year's invitation.

The invitation is out for State Rep. Jack Franks October fund raiser. That’s the one where he solicited all over McHenry County and beyond building a political base for his anticipated run for the United States Congress in 2012.

As McHenry County Blog did last year, the names of the hosts will be published.

The invitation this year does not use the characterture that graced last year’s invitation.  This one looks more dignified.

The 2010 fund raising invitation is more dignified.

Here are the special interest groups who have signed on to State Rep. Jack Franks’ fund raising 2010 Host Committee:

• Associated Fire Fighters of Illinois
• BNSF Railway
• Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen
• Carpenters Local 2087
• Elevator Constructors Local 2
• Fraternal Order of Police, IL State Lodge
• IBEW Local 117
• IBEW Local 134
• Illinois AFL-CIO
• Illinois Bankers Association
• Illinois Education Association
• Illinois Pipe Trades
• Ironworkers Local 1
• Labors Local 1035
• Laborers’ International Union – Midwest Region
• Local 11 Cement Masons
• McHenry County Building Trades Council
• Metropolitan Fire Chiefs Association
• Northern Illinois Fire Protection Districts
• Plumbers Local 93
• Police Benevolent PAC
• Rockford-Area United Auto Workers 265
• Sheriff of McHenry County
• United Transportation Union

The invitation says that Lisa Madigan and Jesse White will be attending Franks’ breakfast fundraiser on October 2nd at the Bull Valley Country Club.

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Compare the logo on the golf ball with the Jack Franks’ sticker being distributed at the Johnsburg Saufen und Spiel Parade.

House Speaker Mike Madigan

So many ideas to share, so little time.

When I heard that House Speaker Mike Madigan was proposing doing away with the office of lieutenant governor, my first thought was the he was setting up his daughter Lisa, now Attorney General to be first in line to become governor, if anything happened to a governor.

I wanted to check the Illinois Constitution before writing a story and didn’t get around to doing that until just now.

In the meantime, others have made the point.

Here’s what the State Constitution says about succession:

SECTION 6. GUBERNATORIAL SUCCESSION

(a) In the event of a vacancy, the order of succession to the office of Governor or to the position of Acting Governor shall be the Lieutenant Governor, the elected
Attorney General, the elected Secretary of State, and then as provided by law.

State Rep. Jack Franks

And, you will note how quickly State Rep. Jack Franks (D-Marengo) took the same position.

Franks, justifiably, is tired of being just a state representative and he wants House Speaker Madigan to draw him a congressional district he can win.

And, in his heart of hearts, he’d love to by attorney general.

There is that little matter, however, of Lisa Madigan’s finding being attorney general not a bad gig to have while raising small kids.