Franks Bio

Jack Franks was elected in November 1998 to represent the 63rd State Representative District. Representative Franks was the first Democrat elected from McHenry County to the State House outside of the cumulative years since 1834. Representative Franks’ committee assignments reflect his dedication to the communities he represents. He serves as Chairman of the State Government Administration Committee, a committee that has taken up the task of aggressively rooting out corruption and exposing illegal actions in state government. Franks also serves as Vice Chairman of the International Trade & Commerce Committee and is a member of the Aging, Bio-Technology, Veterans’ Affairs and Public Utilities Committees. In the past, he has been a member of the Appropriations – Public Safety Committee, Agriculture Committee and the Task Force on Prescription Drugs, where he served as chairman.

Franks has been an outspoken critic of disgraced former Governor Rod Blagojevich. In 2006, Franks exposed a scheme where the governor needlessly purchased millions of dollars of flu vaccines then ultimately sent the expired vaccines to Pakistan where they were rejected. In 2008, Franks held the first-ever audit of a sitting governor when he uncovered that the governor had given one million dollars of state funds to a nonexistent school with no assets, no teachers, and no students. Because of Representative Franks’ efforts, the state is now recovering the money. Most recently, Franks served on the House Special Investigative Committee charged with investigating the abuses of power by former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and voted unanimously in favor of the Governor’s impeachment.

Since taking office, Franks has played a key role in the fight for property tax relief, low cost prescription drugs, and managed care reform. In the field of health care, he has passed a Senior Citizen Prescription Drug Discount Program, a Patients’ Bill of Rights that allows patients to make their own medical decisions, and the HMO Liability Act, which gives patients the right to sue their HMO for negligence.

In addition, Franks wants to ensure that all children are given a world-class education and has been heavily involved in education reform in the State House. During his time in Springfield, he has significantly increased the amount of state funding for McHenry County schools, boosting the foundation level for each student as well as grants for school construction and new technology. Franks has also passed legislation to reduce class sizes, heighten standards, increase accountability and strengthen school safety.

Jack attended the University of Wisconsin at Madison where he studied international relations and political science. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in 1985. He then attended American University Washington College of Law, where he received his law degree with honors in 1989. Jack also has a degree from the London School of Economics. Jack is fluent in Portuguese and conversational Spanish, and enjoys reading and basketball. Jack’s grandparents came to McHenry County over 70 years ago and his family has lived there ever since. Jack and his wife, Debby reside in Marengo with their two sons, Sam and Henry. Jack is proud to be a 3rd generation resident of McHenry County.