McHenry County Blog

A McHenry man named Jack Riley, who I’m told was seriously considering running for Mayor against incumbent Sue Low, has taken out an ad in the Northwest Herald.

He states he disagrees with the NWH’s endorsement of Low over former Mayor Steve Cuda.

You can see it below:

Jack Riley’s ad in the Northwest Herald.

In boldface type, Riley charges,

“Nepotism pervades city hall.  She has awarded family members throughout her tenure; the appointments of the city engineer and city treasurer, were her cousin and son-in-law.”

Jack Schaffer

Back when Jack Schaffer was State Senator and I was State Rep., we once had a conversation about patronage.

Both of us agreed that we were pleased to let McHenry County Republican County Chairman Al Jourdan handle that aspect of politics.

Now, Schaffer, serving on the Metra Board, has called out newly-installed Metra Board Chairman Brad O’Halloran on his proposal to give Board members the power to approve new hires earning more than $75,000 a year.  That’s what the Chicago Tribune says.

“I know what patronage is.  I want no part of it.”

O’Halloran took offense.

The Chicago Tribune headline tells the story.

So did other Board members, including Kane County’s Mike McCoy.

“Ridiculous and offensive.”

Schaffer was not alone in his believe, however.  Evanston’s William Widmer “feared the board ‘could become the go-to people about getting hired,’” according to the Tribune.

This afternoon came the third robo-call from Jack Franks urging people to vote for his County Executive referendum.

You can read the text of the first one here.

The last time he called, State Rep. Jack Franks (D-Marengo) told people to give him a call, if they had questions.

The one person I know who tried found nothing but a busy signal.

This afternoon when Franks called, there was no invitation for conversation.

While McHenry County’s most prominent Democrat, State Rep. Jack Franks favors passage of the County Executive referendum he put on the ballot, both Democrats on the County Board are in opposition. Here you see two “Vote No on the County Executive Referendum” signs next to ones to re-elect Democratic County Board member Kathy Bergan Schmidt.

Franks pitched his support for the referendum as a continuation of his fight for accountability and transparency.

Franks paints himself as a paragon of reform by pointing out he was the “lone voice against Governor Blagojevich.”

This February 27, 2003, memo from State Rep. Jack Franks asks for patronage appointments for Deborah Wolf Franks, Hebert W. Franks, David B. Franks, Michale Delessandro, Judge Erin O’Connell-Diaz, Nancy Vazzano, Fred Shay, Susan Van Weelden, Bill Clow, and Mary Kennedy.  Click to enlarge.

It does not surprise me that he does not mention the February 27, 2003, memo to Blagojevich asking for patronage appointments for his family and friends.

Franks argues that the leader of the McHenry County Board should be elected, but doesn’t tell how much more power an elected County Executive would have than would a County Board Chairman elected at-large.

Needless to say, he talked faster than I could take notes.

If folks remember more of the pitch, please add the information in the comments.

“Did you know that Representative Jack Franks asked Governor Blagojevich to give his wife, his father, and his brother government jobs?”

That’s the way a robo-call from Republican challenger John O’Neill began.

That revelation is likely what led Jack Franks’ supporter Gail Wood to file a legal complaint–in fact, a dirty trick–against the O’Neill campaign that cost the candidate a half day of campaigning yesterday.

Why do I say it was a dirty trick?

Gail Wood did not even show up for the hearing.  You can read about that here.

And here’s the email upon which the phone call’s message was based:

Email asking Governor Rod Blagojevich to give Jack Franks' friends and family poistions. Click to enlarge.

This is the robo-call message about which the Jack Franks’ supporter complained to the Illinois State Board of Elections:

Did you know that Representative Jack Franks asked Governor Blagojevich to give his wife, his father, and his brother government jobs?

I’m tired of elected officials who help themselves, not us.

That’s why I’m supporting John O’Neill for State Representative. O’Neill has six children and cares about the next generation – not the next election.

Check him out at electjohnoneill.com or press one for more information.

Paid for by Committee to Elect John O’Neill

In addition, people could ask for a copy of the memo to be sent to them.

“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.

The Jack Franks partonage request memo to Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

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.