Jack Franks: Candidate Profile

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Note: Answers provided have not been edited for grammar, misspellings or typos. In some instances, candidate claims that could not be immediately verified have been omitted. Jump to:BioQA Bio City: MarengoWebsite: www.FranksForMcHenry.comTwitter: Candidate did not respond.Facebook: Candidate did not respond.Office sought: McHenry County Board Chairman Age: 52Family: Wife Debby, sons Sam and HenryOccupation: Attorney and State RepresentativeEducation: Community High School - Marengo; University of Wisconsin at Madison - Double Major in International Relations and Political Science, Cum Laude; American University Washington College of Law - JD with HonorsCivic involvement: I have been involved with a wide variety of civic and philanthropic organizations in McHenry County including local Chambers of CommerceElected offices held: State Representative of the 63rd District: 1999-currentQuestions Answers This is the first time there will be an election for county board chairman. Describe the significance of this and what it might mean to the people of McHenry County.It is my hope this change will reduce crony politics -- exemplified by the practice of Chairman candidates promising wasteful and duplicative Committee chairmanships to Members in exchange for their support. I believe this new system will provide a balance. While it is important for different regions to have their own representatives focused on their own issues, it will be helpful for all of McHenry County to elect a leader charged with serving the best interests of the County as a whole. Countywide leadership is needed to cut burdensome property taxes, reduce government waste and corruption and improve transportation.Valley Hi Nursing Home, operated by the county, has received an unflattering federal report about its infection control procedures. How do you think the county should respond? What needs to be done there?I did some of the critical initial research and interviews on this crisis and helped blow the whistle on the cover up. There is a culture of intimidation and coercion at Valley Hi. It is outrageous the County Board and the Valley Hi Operating Board knew nothing of these problems until I brought them to their attention at the Operating Board Meeting. Our County Board was negligent in its oversight. Transparency and accountability is lacking from the body. I support dismissal of the administrator and any upper level staff that failed to respond to the concerns of residents and employees.What is your position on government consolidation? Are there areas of government in McHenry County that strike you as prime candidates for such consideration?I passed legislation creating a State Consolidation Commission, which I then chaired. As a result of that Commission's work, I authored legislation prohibiting the creation of additional governmental bodies. I also passed legislation allowing Counties, including McHenry, to consolidate government layers. I did this over the objection of McHenry County Board Members who actually hired lobbyists with our tax dollars to oppose it. I would immediately address the crushing debt burden of the Mental Health Board. This debt is costing the taxpayers unnecessary millions. I will also scrutinize each agency, as well as the Conservation District, to achieve more efficiencies.State your views on the issue of McHenry County Board members receiving pensions.I uncovered the County Board IMRF pension scandal and took action to reform the system. I passed legislation prohibiting all future County Board Members from being full-time IMRF pension-eligible. As a result, taxpayers will save tens of millions of dollars. It is an outrage that County Board Members failed to cooperate with the IMRF investigation or turn over requested documents. As Chairman, I will require Members to sign affidavits about hours worked. If they refuse, I will direct the IMRF to remove them from the system. We must root out waste, fraud and corruption in order to lower property taxes.Please list any elected office you've ever run for and what the result of that election was. Have you ever been appointed to fill an unexpired term?I was first elected by McHenry County voters to serve as 63rd District State Representative in 1998, and I have been re-elected every two years since then.What other issues, if any, are important to you as a candidate for this office?Please see http://franksformchenry.com/mchenry-county-issues/ for detailed positions on the top issues I believe to be facing McHenry County.Please name one current leader who most inspires you.Jesse White for his commitment to helping at-risk youth and for his ability to bring people together of all backgrounds, faiths, races and political beliefs.What is the biggest lesson you learned at home growing up?Always do the right thing and stand up for those who aren't able to defend themselves.If life gave you one do-over, what would you spend it on?I wouldn't. I learned valuable lessons from my mistakes and those experiences made me a better person.What was your favorite subject in school and how did it help you in later life?History. To know the cause of things and what inspires people is as relevant today as in any historical time.If you could give your children only one piece of advice, what would it be?Engage. Get in to the arena. Dare greatly. Don't be afraid to fail. Get up after being knocked down. Try again.