McHenry County Board Chairman Jack Franks continues to break the law with regard to appointing a replacement for retired Coroner Dr. Anne Majewski.
He clearly will not nominate former County Board member Michael Rein, who was a major thorn in Franks’ side by pushing the issue of Franks’ improperly hired patronage employees.
He is passing petitions to run for the office.
A previous violation of the statutory requirement for a timely appointment to fill a vacant countywide elected official occured after County Auditor Pam Palmer retired.
Franks wanted to abolish the independently elected office of County Auditor, which is designed to be a check and balance on the rest of County government, including Franks, and replace it with an Inspector General reporting more or less to himself.
For the rest of the term, he suggested appointing CPA Nancy Gonsiorek for County Auditor (with her OK at abolishing the office).
At that point Board member Jim Kearns led a rare revolt of the Republican supermajority, telling Franks the Board would approve no one but Deputy Auditor Shannon Teresi.
Shannon has more initials than CPA after her name, including Certified Fraud Examiner.
Finally, Franks capituated and nominated Teresi.
But, let’s get back to the Coroner vacancy.
Besides chiropractor Rein, nurse Angela Byrnes is passing petitons for the office of Coroner.
Under the article linked in the above sentence, commenter “Questioning” wrote,
Having located a Angela Byrnes at a Crystal Lake address which also shows a Angela Shetsky at the same address – same age.
Interesting that Shetsky pulled a Democrat ballot in the 2008 primary but no primary since then and no votes show for Byrnes.
If the same person, why run as a Republican?
It is unknown whether Byrnes is the same person as Angela Shetsky, but, in any event, the commenter found no Republican primary votes fo Byrnes.
Since state law requires that a vacated elected county office must be filled with a person of the same party, that would mean that Franks could not appoint Byrnes to fill the office.
Except…when Byrnes files her petition for Coroner in the Republica Primary Election, presumeably on the first day of filing, Monday, she will be swearing that she is a Republican.
Would not that solve Franks’ same party problem, if he wants to appoint Byrnes to fill out Majewski’s term?
Oh boy, the pains of living in an “open primary” state that does not have any voter registration by political party.
What was done in 2008, if this is the same woman, is irrelevant.
It’s whatever was done in 2018 is what matters, and Ms. Byrnes did not cast a primary ballot, so technically, for the biennium between general primary elections, she is an independent, and not a Republican.
So technically, this is not legal.
Filing a petition as a Republican on Monday is not the same as casting a Republican ballot in March.
And she’s not “swearing” anything. She’ll execute her first amendment right to associate with the established political party of her choice.
It’s like many years back, an elected county board member changed political party mid-term to run for another office, and won and had to resign from the county board.
The board vacancy was filled based on the party the board member was elected under, not what was switched to.
Hopefully, the scenario for Byrnes will not be tried, as this will only trigger litigation. Appoint someone who cast a Republican ballot last year as a placeholder for a year, and avoid the litigation.
2008, really Cal? Did you reach out to Ms Byrnes for a comment about this before you posted because I’d be curious on what she would say instead of you raising your usual conspiracy theories. I suppose if anyone is going to be appointed at least she is qualified for the job and isn’t just a glorified masseuse taking a free ride from his buddies on the taxpayers dime.
Let’s face it, Rein has no place being in the Coroner’s office, and is just another crony running for office after office looking for a government paycheck and benefits. I like how he’s conveniently throwing his doctor title around trying to fool people that he actually has medical experience. He never used doctor title before his name when he ran for his numerous positions before, why now? Anybody else notice that?
You make a good poimt.
I have now asked her.
Lopez makes sense. Illinois is a shi+ state. Only got 1 more year to go! Well, 1 yr and 4 mos.
Franks took a lesson from LeBron James and is now farting in the public’s faces!
https://nypost.com/2019/11/23/lebron-james-farts-at-fans-after-they-ask-for-his-autograph/
@Questioning how Questioning,
Michael Rein is a Doctor. He’s also a Veteran, teacher of pathology, and a highly valued community volunteer.
He knows a lot about the county seeing he’s a lifelong resident and former county board member.
As a county board member he saved the county millions of dollars on their insurance liabilities! He’s also a veteran and doesn’t need the county’s insurance benefits.
Byrnes is a hospice nurse who sees the handwriting on the wall. Illinois Hospice went from 32 offices in IL down to 8. Angela needs a job.
Dr. Michael Rein for Coroner.
Mrs. Burns announcement reflects some tweaking, perhaps with some help, that will coincidentally respond to Frank’s personal standards for the coroner’s appointment.
That will only last until Dr. Michael Rein is elected in the primary, if we all do our job.