With Lisa Madigan announcing that she will not run for Governor, the game of musical chairs for statewide office lost its appeal for many.

Sheila Simon said she would run for Comptroller.

Previously, she was posturing for Attorney General.

Incumbent Comptroller, Republican Judy Baar Topinka, has not announced whether she will seek another term.

With State Treasurer Dan Rutherford running for the GOP nomination for Governor, there’s an opening there.

And, each candidate for Governor has to select a Lieutenant Governor running mate.

So, where does that leave McHenry County’s favorite Democrat, Jack Franks.

He, like Simon, is an attorney.

But he has never shown interest in one of the two statewide financial offices.

Neither the Chicago Tribune nor the Chicago Sun-Times mentioned Franks’ name as a potential statewide candidate, despite his recent publicity on the Metra golden parachute of Executive Director Alex Clifford.

Might Bill Daley pick Franks for Lt. Gov.?

Certainly Pat Quinn would not.

Franks has criticized him too much.

He could run for Congress against Republican Randy Hultgren, but Hultgren has had two years to familiarize himself with his new territory in Kane, Lake and McHenry Counties, so that seems unlikely.

Franks reported having over $512,000 in campaign resources as of the end of June.

It’s like being all dressed up with nowhere to go.

The question that will be asked at tomorrow’s McHenry County Republican Play Day is whether a hard-working opponent will be found to challenge Franks for State Representative.

The GOP dinner, by the way, starts at 4 with cocktails. Walk-ins at the McHenry Country Club can undoubtedly be accommodated. The dinner costs $50.

All four Republican candidates for Governor are expected to attend:

• Bill Brady
• Kirk Dillard
• Bruce Rauner
• Dan Rutherford