State House District 63: Franks

If Democrat Jack Franks is known for anything in the legislature and in truth, he is known for a lot it is for his frank willingness to challenge the powers that be whenever he sees something in government he doesn't like.

And the things he doesn't like backroom deals, bloated pensions, opaque government bureaucracies, tax increases, a cumbersome, misleading budget process and more are things that desperately need to be challenged.

Moreover, Franks' work is not limited simply to criticism of the processes.

Since first being elected to the 63rd District seat in 1999, he has been a prolific sponsor and co-sponsor of laws ranging from tax credits for small business to the new Illinois Accountability Portal.

His opponent, Republican John O'Neill, of McHenry, is a well-meaning newcomer pressing a staunchly conservative agenda on social and fiscal issues, but he offers nowhere near the promise of actually changing things in Springfield that

Franks, of Marengo, has already accomplished.

We endorse Franks as a hardworking, common-sense advocate for his district and for change in Illinois government.