Why Did Jack Franks Flip on the Electric Rate Hike Vote?

Lots of people are cynical about the legislative process.

They should be.

And, I’m the guy whose seatmate, Rep. Tom Johnson, would turn to me when I was particularly outraged and say,

“Cal, your problem is that you think this is on the square.”

So it is from that perspective I write.

There was a saying that some legislators couldn’t be bought, but they could be rented.

Jack Franks was a “No” vote on May 30th for Senate Bill 1652.

But, he announced he was switching to ABC’s Charles Thomas the night before yesterday’s vote and that political reporter thought it important enough to share with the world through his twitter account.

The billboard that did not make Jack Franks' day when he first saw it.

Now, no one would suggest millionaire Jack Franks could be bought.

But, he is a union Democrat.

And, the billboard you see here certainly generated his ire.

You’ll notice that it reports Jack Franks received hundreds of thousands of dollars from “lawyers, labor, and lobbyists.”

International Brotherhood of Electrical Engineers were in the Capitol to encourage legislators to vote for the Com Ed/Ameren rate hike bill.

Maybe some talked to Franks.

Certainly some contributed to his campaign war chest this year.

The State Board of Elections reports $1,000 was donated by three IBEW union locals:

  • $250 IBEW Local 117 – Crystal Lake  2/22/2011
  • $250 IBEW Local 364 – Rockford  9/14/2011
  • $250 IBEW Local 9 – Hillsboro 1/25/11
  • $250 IBEW Local 9 – Hillsboro 9/8/2011

Comments

Why Did Jack Franks Flip on the Electric Rate Hike Vote? — 6 Comments

  1. Vote Franks out of office asap.

    Cal – what about Althoff? Business connections or past jobs? ? Union teacher ?

    Oh, heck, vote her out too.

    These people don’t live in the real world. Term limits might help.

  2. I sure hope the voters have a good memory when they go into the voting booth next time.

    The people have awakened, and will not be duped any more.

    FOLLOW THE MONEY eh?

  3. Cal, don’t just make political hay here! You stumbled on this one with numbers and enuendo.

    HOWEVER, people need to use their heads and vote independent of party. Vote the FACTS and CANDIDATE history. Past behavior is a predicter of future behavior.

  4. Democrat Governor Pat Quinn vetoed Senate Bill 1652 (SB 1652) in the 97th General Assembly on September 12, 2011.

    The House and Senate overrode the veto on October 26, 2011 and the bill became Public Act 97-0616 (PA 97-0616).

    SB 1652 > PA 97-616.

    http://www.ilga.gov > Public Acts > Public Acts/Leg. From Previous General Assemblies > 97 (2011 – 2012) > Go > Public Acts Listing > Public Acts 097-0601 Thru 097-0700 > Public Act 097-0616 – SB 1652 – UTILITIES – DELIVERY SERVICES > Bill Status

    ++++++++++

    May 30, 2011 – Jack Franks voted No.

    October 26, 2011 – Jack Franks voted yes.

    ++++++++++

    Contributions from ComEd / Exelon to Jack Franks PACs

    Prior to October 26, 2011 (March 6, 2001 – June 30, 2010): $11,100 for the 9 years, 4 months; averaging about $1,189 per year.

    After October 26, 2011 (February 2, 2012 – June 30, 2017): $15,900 for the 5 years, 5 months; averaging about $2,935 per year.

    Source:

    http://www.elections.il.gov > Campaign Disclosure > Contribution Search > by Committees

    Supporters of Jack D Franks committee id 19464 (current PAC)

    Citizens for Jack D Franks committee id 13681 (previous PAC)

  5. Jack Franks switched from a no vote on May 30, 2011, to a yes vote on October 26, 2011, for Senate Bill 1652 (SB 1652) in the 97th General Assembly.

    After that yes vote, contributions from ComEd / Exelon to Jack Franks political committees increased an average of 146% per year.

    Contributions from ComEed / Exelon to Jack Franks PACs averaged $1,189 per year before October 26, 2011, and $2,935 per year after October 26, 2011.

    +++++++++++

    SB 1652 / PA 97-0616 was known as the Energy Infrastructure and Modernization Act (Smart Grid).

    +++++++++++

    Here is a summary of PA 97-0616:

    Connecticut General Assembly

    Office of Legislative Research (CGA OLR)

    September 6, 2012

    Recent Illinois Legislation on Energy Infrastructure Modernization

    By Kevin E. McCarthy, Principal Analyst

    Document number 2012-R-0403

    http://www.cga.ct.gov/2012/rpt/2012-R-0403.htm

  6. Comparing contributions from Ameren / Central Illinois Light / Illinois Power to Jack Franks PACS, before and after the October 26, 2011 yes vote by then State Rep. Franks on SB 1652 (which became PA 97-0616).

    PA 97-616 was the Smart Grid / Smart Meter / Energy Infrastructure and Modernization Act.

    July 23, 2001 to October 26, 2011: $4,900. That’s 10 years and 3 months (123 months), for an average of $39.84 per month which is $478.08 per year.

    October 26, 2011 to July 9, 2016: $13,000. That’s 4 years and 9 months (57 months), for an average of $228.07 per month which is $2,736 per year.

    http://www.elections.il.gov

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