Jack D. Franks
Jack Franks | |
|---|---|
| Chairman of the McHenry County Board | |
| Assuming office December 2010 | |
| Succeeding | Joseph Gottemoller (appointed) |
| Member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 63rd district | |
| In office January 1999 – January 11, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Michael J. Brown |
| Succeeded by | Steven Reick |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 2, 1963 Belvidere, Illinois |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Marengo, Illinois |
| Alma mater | University of Wisconsin Washington College of Law |
| Profession | Attorney, politician |
Jack D. Franks (born October 2, 1963) is a member of the Illinois House of Representatives, representing the 63rd district since 1999. The McHenry area district includes all or parts of Harvard, Marengo, Woodstock, Bull Valley, Wonder Lake, Illinois, Greenwood, McHenry, Fox Lake, Spring Grove, Johnsburg and Lakemoor.[1]
In the Illinois House of Representatives, Franks serves as chairman of the State Government Administration committee since 2003.[2]
Illinois House of Representatives
Franks was first elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1998 defeating the incumbent by 138 votes to become one of the first Democrats to represent the largely Republican McHenry area in the Illinois General Assembly.[3][4]
When Franks initially ran for office, he pledged to serve only three terms,[5][6] however he broke his term limit promise and as of 2015 he is serving his ninth.
As Chair of the State Government Administration Committee, Franks called for the first audits of a sitting governor in the history of Illinois and was the first Democrat to openly criticize Rod Blagojevich.[7][better source needed] Blagojevich's team questioned Franks' integrity and whether his impeachment hearing request was politically motivated. The Governor's Office released a 2003 memo in which Franks requested patronage hires for family and friends.[8][9]
Presently, Franks serves on the Illinois Aging Committee, Public Utilities Committee, Chairman of the State Government Administration Committee, Chairman of the International Trade & Commerce Committee, and Vice-Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee.[10]
Notable votes
Franks and a fellow Democrat, Representative Scott Drury, voted against a plan to tax people with seven-figure incomes, called by some a "millionaire's tax", along with every Republican lawmaker, leaving the Democrats two votes shy of the 71 they need to move it forward.[11]
Franks voted "present" on a labor vote in the House, where Democrats were attempting to override a veto by Governor Bruce Rauner on SB 1229, which would have empowered an arbitrator to settle negotiation disputes between public sector unions and the governor and would have impeded the Governor's ability to force a "lock-out" of state workers during contract negotiations.[12] The House failed to override the Governor's veto by three votes.[12]
McHenry County Board Chairman
On May 15, 2016, Franks announced he would run for McHenry County Board Chairman in its first popularly-held election for the position.[13] Previously, in June 2014, Franks specifically stated he would not run for the position in 2016.[14] On the November 8 general election, Franks defeated Republican county board member Michael Walkup with over 57 percent of the vote, according to unofficial results.[15]
Other
Franks is a practicing attorney at the law firm of Franks, Gerkin & McKenna. He holds two degrees: a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and a law degree from the American University Washington College of Law. He is a member of multiple chambers of commerce in the McHenry County area. Franks and his wife, Debby, have two children.[10]
References
- ^ Veeneman, Drew. "Map of 63rd District" (PDF). precinctmaps.com. Retrieved 2013-05-26.
- ^ "Representative Jack D. Franks (D), 63rd District". Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved 2013-05-26.
- ^ Ray Long and Christi Parsons. "Madigan, Philip Retain Majorities In Legislature". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2013-05-26.
- ^ "General Election - 11/3/1998 63rd Representative". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 2013-05-26.
- ^ "Unknown Title". The Northwest Herald. 1998-09-20. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
- ^ Peterson, Jami (1998-11-04). "Unknown Title". The Northwest Herald. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
- ^ "Rep. Jack Franks". Huffingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2016-03-01.
- ^ "Blagojevich team: Gov.'s critic suggested family, pals for state jobs". www.dailyherald.com.
- ^ "Franks Patronage Request Memo 2003". mchenrycountyblog.com.
- ^ a b "Illinois General Assembly - Representative Biography". Ilga.gov. Retrieved 2016-03-01.
- ^ Ben Yount. "Illinois millionaires' tax dies, but other tax plans very much alive". Watchdog.org. Retrieved 2016-03-01.
- ^ a b "House Dems fail to override Rauner veto of labor bill". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on December 24, 2015. Retrieved 2016-03-01.
{{cite news}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ Craver, Kevin (May 15, 2016). "Jack Franks Announces McHenry County Board Chairman Run". Northwest Herald. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Craver, Kevin (June 6, 2014). "Franks Asks County for 2 Advisory Referendums". Northwest Herald. p. 2. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
'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.'
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ Craver, Kevin (November 9, 2016). "Democrat Jack Franks Wins First-Ever McHenry County Board Chairman Race". Northwest Herald. Retrieved November 26, 2016.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help)
External links
- Representative Jack D. Franks (D) 63rd District at the Illinois General Assembly
- Jack D. Franks constituency site
- Profile at Vote Smart
- Rep. Jack D. Franks at Illinois House Democrats