Here’s a man who believes those who don’t remember history might well relive it.
State Rep. Steve Reick has posted the following on his web site:
Putting the Brakes on County Board Chairman Excesses
I’ve written the following letter to the Governor, asking him to veto House Bill 171:
Also, if you want to refresh your memory as to what this is all about, here’s a trip down memory lane:
https://youtu.be/epcWExi4W7Q
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When one looks at who posted the video, it reads, “No County Czar.”
If you would like to advise the Governor of your position, you can do so
https://www.illinois.gov/gov/contactus/Pages/VoiceAnOpinion.aspx
The Video is a must watch.
Michel Tryon explains why the County Executive form of government is not in the best interest of McHenry County taxpayers.
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Recap:
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November 6, 2012 – McHenry County Referendum for County Executive form of government fails (would have established a new form of county government including a voter elected county executive).
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March 18, 2014 – McHenry County Referendum for voter direct election of a County Board Chair passes.
Voters now directly elect a county board chair in addition to electing County Board members.
In the past the 24 voter elected county board members elected one of their own to be Chair.
As a result of the referendum, government expanded.
Starting in the 2016 primary and general elections, voters vote for a county board chair directly in addition to electing the 24 county board members.
Voter elected County Board Chair is an added head count and an added cost to taxpayers.
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Less than 3 months after the voter elected county board chair referendum, while a state legislator, Jack Franks is proposing changes to county government.
One wonders his motivations for the proposed changes.
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Northwest Herald
June 6, 2014
Franks Asks County For 2 Advisory Referendums
by Kevin Craver
“Franks made clear that he is not pushing for County Board changes as an effort to run for the chairman’s seat in two years, following the footsteps of former state senators Chris Lauzen and Dan Cronin, now chairmen of the Kane and DuPage County boards.
‘What I’m trying to do is reduce our property taxes in McHenry County and make it livable so people don’t leave,’ Franks said.
‘I can promise you I am not running for county chairman in 2016.
This has nothing to do with me.
This is about good government.'”
http://www.nwherald.com/2014/06/05/franks-asks-county-for-2-advisory-referendums/a6ejr9p/?view=all
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What were the two advisory referendums listed in the above article?
1. Local governments can’t increase property taxes if assessed value decreases.
2. Change the County Board from 6 districts with 4 members per district, to 16 districts with one member per district.
It’s inexcusable that Reick has to waste his valuable time, fending off a power grab, by some County ferret.
Why the Republicans did place a billboard with the following quote during the November 8, 2016 election campaign is a unknown.
“I can promise you I am not running for County Chairman in 2016.”
– Jack Franks to Kevin Craver, as reported in the June 6, 2014 edition of the Northwest Herald.
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Jack Franks later hired Kevin Craver.
Here is some history on that.
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July 31, 2017 – Jack Franks patronage hire, who worked as a House Democrat state employee for Jack Franks and worked on Democrat Jack Franks political campaigns (Madigoon) while released from his state job, Oliver Serafini, resigns as the McHenry County Communication Specialist for Jack Franks / Utilities Coordinator for Transportation Dept.
http://www.mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/08/04/one-of-jack-franks-political-patronage-hire-quits-county-government
The position was created specifically for Oliver at the request of Jack Franks and kept secret from the public and full county board.
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Monday, July 31, 2017 – Kevin Craver applies for the Communications Specialist / Utility Coordinator position.
mchenrycountyblog.com/2017/08/08/nwh-reporter-kevin-craver-goes-to-work-for-jack-franks
Monday, August 7, 2017 – Apparently this is the first day on the job for Kevin Craver.
One week after he applied, he started.
Who else applied?
Who else was aware the job was available?
There is no job posting by the County for the position?
McHenry County is an Equal Opportunity employer?
How is that equal opportunity?
There was no opportunity for the public to apply because the public did not know the position was available.
The position was kept secret.
As was the case with the Bridget Geenen and Oliver Serafini hires.
This is at least the third time that has occurred since Jack Franks became County Board Chair.
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Crony County
Why the Republicans did not…
Jack Franks’ failed attempt to change McHenry County to a County Executive form of government in 2012 would have made McHenry County government more like, but not exactly like, Cook County government.
Cook County and Will County are the only two counties in Illinois with the County Executive form of government.
Cook County is a home rule unit of government.
Will County however is not a home rule unit of government.
The Northwest Herald reported on August 24, 2012 that the McHenry County referendum would not result in McHenry County being a home rule unit of government.
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Illinois Association of County Board Members
Forms of County Government
“County Executive Form
A county which has a chief executive officer is considered a “home rule unit.”
A county-wide referendum is required to establish this plan.
Home rule counties have broad authority to provide for local government issues.
The advantage of this designation is that, except as limited by State law, home rule counties may exercise any power and perform any function relating to its government and affairs, including the power to regulate for the protection of the public health, safety, morals and welfare;
to license;
and to to borrow money and levy taxes.
Cook County is the only home rule county in Illinois.
Will County voters elected to go to a county executive form without home rule in 1988.
http://www.ilcounty.org/resources/illinois-counties/forms-of-counties
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Northwest Herald
The ABC’s of a County Executive
by Kevin Craver
nwherald.com/2012/08/24/the-abcs-of-a-county-executive/almx07o
Why is Jack Franks not proposing an advisory referendum, or an actual referendum, to let McHenry County voters decide if they want the changes proposed in HB 171?
Instead Jack Franks went to the Democrat controlled General Assembly.
With the help of Republican State Senator Karen McConnaughay, who is listed as a sponsor on the bill, who then voted “Present” instead of yes (yay) or no (nay).
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HB 171 was sent to the Governor by the House on November 13, 2017.
Michael Madigan controls the House as House Speaker.
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=171&GAID=14&DocTypeID=HB&LegId=99121&SessionID=91&GA=100
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Michael Madigan and Jack Franks were in the House Democrat Caucus together as State Representatives for 18 years.
Mr. Madigan has wide ranging influence over Illinois politics, including Chair of the Democrat Party of Illinois and its PAC.
A Chair of the Democrat Party of Illinois would logically want to expand party power in all counties of Illinois, including its 6th most populous county (McHenry County).
And the man Michael Madigan best knows in McHenry County?
Jack Franks.
Here are some of the many hats worn by Michael Madigan.
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1st Hat
Michael Madigan is the Speaker of the House, the #1 position in the House.
ilga.gov/house/100th_House_Officers.pdf
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2nd Hat
Michael Madigan wields a strong influence over the House Democrat Caucus.
ilhousedems.com/project/rep-michael-j-madigan
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3rd Hat
Michael Madigan is Chair of the Democratic Majority PAC, which is the PAC for the House Democrat Caucus, with a SBE committee ID of 23189.
Timothy Mapes (Executive Director of the Democratic Party of Illinois and Chief of Staff to Michael Madigan) is the Treasurer of that PAC.
elections.il.gov/CampaignDisclosure/CommitteeDetailOfficers.aspx?id=mWnw4N%2bx5ZWOkv1rHHeoRw%3d%3d
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4th Hat
Michael Madigan is Chair of the Democrat Party of Illinois.
ildems.com
5th Hat
Michael Madigan is Chair of the Democrat Party of Illinois political action committee (PAC), which has a State Board of Elections (SBE) committee ID of 6239.
Michael Kasper (General Counsel and Treasurer of the Democratic Party of Illinois, partner at the FOKN law firm, generally regarded as the top election lawyer in Illinois, former General Counsel to Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan and former Parliamentarian to the Illinois House) is the Treasurer of that PAC.
elections.il.gov/CampaignDisclosure/CommitteeDetailOfficers.aspx?id=TXkrF2RZJqYzx4B%2bCqVI3w%3d%3d
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6th Hat
Michael Madigan is the Democrat Ward Committeeman in the 13th Ward of Chicago.
cookcountydems.com/committeemen.php
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7th Hat
Michael Madigan is Chair of the Democratic PAC for that ward (13th Ward Democratic Org), which has a SBE committee ID of 10, and whose Treasurer is Frank Olivo (Member of the Illinois Secretary of State’s Motor Vehicle Review Board, former Chicago 13th Ward Alderman, former 13th Ward Superintendent).
elections.il.gov/CampaignDisclosure/CommitteeDetailOfficers.aspx?id=5G3FP9MJzdI%3d
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8th Hat
Michael Madigan is Chair of the Friends of Michael J Madigan PAC, whose purpose is to elect Michael Madigan, has a PAC Committee ID of 665, and whose Treasurer is Timothy Mapes.
elections.il.gov/CampaignDisclosure/CommitteeDetailOfficers.aspx?id=NBKHhdLnFCc%3d
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9th Hat
Michael Madigan is a co-founder and Partner at a property tax appeal company in Chicago named Madigan & Getzendanner, which represents several skyscrapers in Chicago for property tax appeals.
madigetz.com/attorneys/michael-j-madigan.html
That’s a lot of power concentrated in the hands of one person.
So much power that about one year ago an one hour movie was made explaining many of these hats and Machine Politics in Illinois.
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YouTube
Illinois Policy channel
Madigan: Power. Privilege. Politics
November 3, 2016
youtube.com/watch?v=ZgVP3H122nw
Too bad the NitWits Herald wouldn’t report on this.
Can’t you just see Lyin’ Jack Franks salivating at this !?
And that’s why he ran for this.
All those goodies, all that power and access to political pay backs at taxpayer expense was too much for him to resist.
We are experiencing exactly what Tryon was saying would happen.
Watch McHenry County turn into corrupt Madigan’s Springfield.
We’re already on our way one year after his election!
And who’s fault is that, Bob?
Do twenty-three nitwits and a bully ring any bells?