FOX Chicago Sunday: State Rep. Jack Franks

August 23, 2010 - WLS Radio's Don and Roma show

When state lawmakers impeached former governor Rod Blagojevich over a year ago, the public had only heard a few of the federal wiretaps. Now that a federal jury deadlocked on most of the charges in the Blagojevich corruption trial, was his impeachment a rush to judgment? State Rep. Jack Franks is here on FOX Chicago Sunday to talk about the impeachment case he led against Rod Blagojevich... READ MORE

State Rep Jack Franks joins Don Wade and Roma

August 23, 2010 - WLS Radio's Don and Roma show

On August 23rd, State Rep Jack Franks joined Don Wade and Roma to discuss the Blagojevich retrial. Is it worth it to use taxpayers' money to pay for Blagojevich's retrial? How long will he have to do for him to be satisfied? Does horse trading happen all the time? How corrupt is Illinois? Are term limits the solution... READ MORE

Jurors were close to convicting Blagojevich

August 18, 2010 - Northwest Herald

CHICAGO (AP) — They were close. After three weeks of respectful but increasingly tense deliberations, 11 jurors were ready to convict Rod Blagojevich of what prosecutors called a "political corruption crime spree" that would have sent yet another former Illinois governor to prison. Not close enough... READ MORE

The Blagojevich verdict:
Stay tuned

August 18, 2010 - Daily Herald

It must be said at the outset that one important statement underlies all reflections on the Rod Blagojevich trial. The former Illinois governor is a felon. It is true that the single charge that Blagojevich's jury could reach agreement on was one of the least significant of the 24 he faced, but it is not insignificant... READ MORE

Prosecutors plan to retry Illinois' Blagojevich

August 18, 2010 - USA Today

After the former Illinois governor was found guilty Tuesday of just one of 24 felony corruption counts — lying to the FBI — federal prosecutor Reid Schar said it is "absolutely our intent" to retry the 23 charges on which the judge declared a mistrial. "We could be here tomorrow," Schar said. U.S. District Judge James Zagel set an Aug. 26 hearing to decide timing of the retrial... READ MORE

Officials agree verdict a sad day for Illinois

August 17, 2010 - Aledo Times Record

Gov. Pat Quinn famously defended Blagojevich during the 2006 election season, calling him honest. “You can be misled, and that can happen in life to anyone,” Quinn said at a Statehouse news conference. “I think it’s very disappointing to hear in the testimony of the trial the things that the former governor said – I was unaware of and I certainly was shocked by – and I think that’s why I led the effort for recall in 2007 and into 2008.” Voters this fall will be able to adopt a constitutional amendment allowing for the recall of Illinois governors...READ MORE

Social service agencies plead for state gov’t help

August 6, 2010 - Northwest Herald

McHENRY – Area human services providers told state legislators Thursday that they need to know how much money to expect from the state so the agencies can better plan on how to provide their services. The Human Services Advocates of McHenry County is a collection of human services agency board members who meet to discuss issues and how to educate the public and elected officials of the agencies’ needs... READ MORE

Illinois Should Better Manage the Lottery, Not Waste the Bucks

August 2, 2010 - The Huffington Post

Our state recently put the wheels in motion to hire a private management firm to run the Illinois lottery for the next decade. No other state has ever tried to privatize any portion of their lottery. There is a simple explanation for this; taxpayers lose out under a privatization plan. The rationale behind privatization is to make Illinois' lottery operate like a cutting-edge business... READ MORE

What does the future hold for school funding, unions?

August 2, 2010 - Northwest Herald

The state of Illinois owes school districts about $1.3 billion. The number of schools on the state financial watch list jumped to 29 in fiscal year 2010 from 22 in fiscal year 2009. Meanwhile, Alden-Hebron District 19 spent $10,669 to educate a student in 2008-09; down the road in Harvard District 50, officials spent $7,172 a student. The funding system isn’t working. Everyone can at least agree on that... READ MORE

Rep. Franks Talks About Employer Credit Check Bill

July 30, 2010 - FOX Chicago News

A proposed law in Illinois could give those with bad credit a much needed second chance. State Rep. Jack Franks discussed what's in his bill and what it means to anybody looking for a job.

Bill Would Ban Employer Credit Checks

July 30, 2010 - FOX Chicago News

Chicago - There may be new hope for those with bad credit who are looking for a job. Many people can't get employed -- not because they don't have decent credentials -- but because they don't have decent credit. Now, a proposed law in Illinois could give them a much needed second chance.

Franks on the FOX Business Network

July 29, 2010 - FOX NEWS 9 pm

Jack will be FOX Chicago's 9 pm News tonight to talk about his Employee Credit Privacy Act.

Franks on the FOX Business Network

July 26, 2010 - FOX NEWS Business Network

Click here to watch video

Watch for State Rep. Jack Franks on the FOX Business Network Monday, July 26, around 9:40 am (central time). Rep. Franks talks with Stuart Varney about the economic state of Illinois and the possible privatization of the Illinois lottery.

Franks does what's right for residents

July 11, 2010 - Daily Herald

Your June 5 editorial highlighted the fact that the only McHenry County legislator to support a sales tax holiday in Illinois was state Rep. Jack Franks. All the other area legislators voted against cutting taxes to stimulate the economy and give consumers a much-needed break. Rep. Franks has been working to get this law passed for years. The sales tax holiday will allow everyone to pay reduced taxes on clothing and school items from Friday, Aug. 6, to Sunday, Aug. 15... READ MORE

Credibility sunk by big raises for Quinn's staff

July 9, 2010 - Pantagraph

Gov. Pat Quinn talks a good game about the need for “shared sacrifice” to address the state’s woeful budget situation. But the raises Quinn gave to 35 of his staffers in the past 15 months calls into question what kind of “sacrifice” is being shared. The average increase was 11.4 percent — coming at a time when people in the private sector are taking pay cuts or being laid off, teachers are losing their jobs, bills are not being paid and on it goes... READ MORE

More Quinn logic that escapes us

July 9, 2010 - Daily Herald

We give Gov. Pat Quinn a hard time quite often, and we recognize that. Thing is, he makes it so easy. Here's another editorial idea he served up to us, big and delicious: At the same time he's been traveling Illinois bemoaning the state's huge debt, he's been giving raises that average 11.4 percent to 35 members of his staff, according to an Associated Press analysis reported Tuesday... READ MORE

Quinn's Lack of Leadership Continues to Hurt the People of Illinois

July 8, 2010 - The Huffington Post - by Jack Franks

July 1, Governor Pat Quinn proudly proclaimed that he made tough budget choices to move our state forward. Fresh from issuing $509 million in cuts made with his newly enhanced executive power, another $891 million held in reserve and an executive order aimed at cutting state employee expenses, Quinn acted as if he had stood the hard line on spending. But, like most vague declarations, the devil is in the details. Quinn failed to tell the public that his more than $1 billion in cuts was mostly smoke and mirrors. In reality, Quinn cut very little from the budget, which still carries a $13 billion deficit... READ MORE

Quinn’s staff gets big raises

July 7, 2010 - USA Today & Northwest Herald

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. Pat Quinn handed out raises – some of more than 20 percent – to members of his staff while proclaiming a message of “shared sacrifice” and planning spending cuts of $1.4 billion because the state is awash in debt. The Democrat gave 43 salary increases averaging 11.4 percent to 35 staffers in the past 15 months, according to an Associated Press analysis of records obtained under the Freedom of Information Act... READ MORE

What's up (or down) with state spending

July 5, 2010 - Chicago Tribune

Gov. Pat Quinn crafted this year's state budget with nearly unfettered power to spend taxpayer money and cut programs as he saw fit. The unprecedented authority led Quinn and his aides to spend weeks deciding what to slice and what to spare, knowing that each move will be examined carefully under the magnifying glass of the governor campaign... READ MORE

Gov. Quinn: Veto the Budget, Bring General Assembly Back to Springfield

June 10, 2010 - The Huffington Post - by Jack Franks

I called on Governor Pat Quinn this week to veto the budget plan provided by the General Assembly and bring the legislature back to Springfield immediately to fulfill our constitutional obligation to pass a responsible, balanced budget. Just a few weeks ago, the General Assembly provided the Governor with a budget that is unbalanced and unconstitutional... READ MORE

Recall will be on Nov. Ballot

June 7, 2010 - Northwest Herald

SPRINGFIELD – After November, voters might be able to oust the governor. The power of recall will be the first state constitutional amendment on the Illinois ballot since 1998. If approved, the recall provision would be similar to the process used in California, said state Rep. Jack Franks, D-Marengo. He began pushing for the amendment in 2008 after abuse-of-power allegations against then-Gov. Rod Blagojevich... READ MORE

In Blagojevich Corruption Trial, a Political Window

June 2, 2010 - The New York Times

CHICAGO — As jury selection in the corruption trial of Rod R. Blagojevich begins on Thursday, people here are less curious about what they may learn about the impeached former Illinois governor than they are about who else will be tainted in the proceedings .The trial may finally open a window into Mr. Blagojevich’s interactions with other politicians and political strategists, business and union leaders and others... READ MORE

House OKs Borrowing to Cover State Pensions

May 26, 2010 - The State Journal-Register

Pension borrowing — a major (and controversial) component of a state budget plan — finally won approval in the Illinois House on Tuesday after a series of rejections. The House voted 71-44 to borrow up to $4 billion to cover next year’s payments to the five state-funded pension systems. The bill needed a super-majority of 71 votes to pass, and two Republicans — Bill Black of Danville and Robert Biggins of Elmhurst — provided the needed margin... READ MORE

Illinois Lawmakers Adopt Plan to Borrow To Pay For Pensions

May 26, 2010 - FOX Chicago News

Springfield, Ill. - The Illinois House has approved key pieces of a Democratic budget plan that attempts to address the state's massive budget deficit. One measure would borrow $3.7 billion to make the state's annual contribution to government pension systems. Another would give Gov. Pat Quinn broad power to decide where to cut spending. Quinn would also be allowed to borrow from special government funds... READ MORE

Jack Franks: Remove Member Initiatives in Budget

May 25, 2010 - FOX Chicago News

Lawmakers in Springfield have a $13 billion budget hole to fill, and there's been a lot of debate over what to do. Representative Jack Franks says he has suggested ways to cut spending, but he says Governor Quinn never considered them. He joined us by phone. READ MORE

Illinois Senate Passes Budget Plan After Midnight

MAY 7, 2010 - FOX Chicago News

Chicago - There may be new powers for the governor as the Illinois Senate worked past midnight Thursday to approve a $57 billion spending plan without a major tax increase. House Democrats will meet with Governor Quinn Friday before considering the budget. READ MORE

Gov. Quinn:No Borrowing Without $2 in Cuts for Each $1 Borrowed

APRIL 29th, 2010

I want you to imagine for a minute that your family is facing a monumental fiscal crisis. Bill collectors are hounding you, you're facing foreclosure on your home and your children's tuition is due. Just before the moment of reckoning, in the mail you receive an offer to loan you all the money you need to pay your bills, keep your house and pay your children's tuition. With few other options, you cautiously accept the offer. One year later... READ MORE

Want to solve the budget crisis? Say no to spending

APRIL 22th, 2010 - Chicago Tribune

I sit in the Illinois House week after week, listening to debate, moving bills, and I think: We are out of control. We have a $13 billion budget deficit, the worst in memory. We run the government by shooting from the hip: borrowing money and not paying our bills. We are in trouble. And we won't get out of trouble unless Gov. Pat Quinn and Illinois legislators have the courage to put a stop to the unchecked spending that got us where we are today. We have a disaster. It is man-made.
READ MORE

FOX Chicago Sunday: Jack Franks

MARCH 29th, 2010 - FOX Chicago News

The Illinois legislature moved swiftly last week to pass sweeping reforms to the State's pension system. It's a move expected to save as much as a hundred billion dollars years down the road, but little upfront.

State representative Jack Franks joins us from Springfield for this week’s Fox Chicago Sunday.

Franks: Evaluate Every Line Item

MARCH 18th, 2010 - FOX Chicago News

Some state lawmakers are not happy with the governor's budget that includes cuts to education and human services. They also say that the governor should take a closer look at wasteful spending before raising taxes.

State Representative Jack Franks joined us from Springfield.