News
Lawmaker: Quinn A ‘Coward’ For His Handling Of DCFS Investigation
January 28, 2012 - CBS2 Chicago
lawmaker is accusing Gov. Quinn of cowardice for the way his administration handled a scandal at the state’s child-welfare agency. State Rep. Jack Franks, D-Woodstock, says Quinn knew in April that Erwin McEwen, then the head of the Department of Children and Family Services, was refusing to cooperate in a state inspector general’s investigation... READ MORE
State investigators say DCFS contract fraud could be worse than known
January 27, 2012 - Chicago Tribune
State ethics investigators say they may never know the full extent of an alleged contracting scheme that they say cost taxpayers at least $18 million and led to last year’s resignation of the head of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. The comments came during a legislative hearing Friday examining a probe that found numerous violations by George E. Smith, who held various state contracts across a number of agencies, including DCFS... READ MORE
State Rep. Franks blasts Quinn’s office on alleged misconduct by ex-DCFS chief
January 27, 2012 - Northwest Herald
An attorney for Gov. Pat Quinn faced blistering questioning by legislators Friday on why the governor didn’t quickly fire the head of the state’s child-welfare agency last year after a report of fraudulent billing under his watch. At a hearing in Chicago, Rep. Jack Franks called it “cowardice” on the part of Quinn’s office to ask for Erwin McEwen’s resignation from his post as chief of the Department of Children and Family Services rather than fire him. State inspectors had found that a friend of the former director collected millions of dollars for shoddy or non-existent work... READ MORE
Bill aimed at allowing voters to elect County Board chairman
January 10, 2012 - Northwest Herald
A new bill in the House seeks to reverse the McHenry County Board's decision to continue appointing the board chairman themselves. House Bill 3953, filed Friday by state Rep. Jack Franks, D-Marengo, would require counties with more than 300,000 residents to directly elect the county board chairman. McHenry County has 308,760 residents, according to the 2010 U.S. Census... READ MORE
State rep wants panel to review tax-break requests
December 22, 2011 - Crain's Chicago Business
A suburban legislator has introduced a bill to sharply cut Gov. Pat Quinn's power to hand out hundreds of millions of dollars in corporate tax breaks. Under a bill submitted this week by Rep. Jack Franks, D-Marengo, Mr. Quinn no longer would be able to unilaterally approve payroll credits like those... READ MORE
State rep wants panel to review tax-break requests
December 22, 2011 - Chicago Tribune
Rep. Jack Franks (D-Woodstock) filed a bill this week that would create a five-member committee to review the contracts between companies seeking tax credits and the state before they are finalized. As it stands, the state's Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity reviews businesses' applications, negotiates and approves the deals... READ MORE
State rep wants panel to review tax-break requests
December 22, 2011 - Chicago Tribune
Rep. Jack Franks (D-Woodstock) filed a bill this week that would create a five-member committee to review the contracts between companies seeking tax credits and the state before they are finalized. As it stands, the state's Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity reviews businesses' applications, negotiates and approves the deals... READ MORE
Bill seeks to ban those who owe child support from ballot
December 22, 2011 - Northwest Herald
A bill inspired by U.S. Rep. Joe Walsh’s child support issues would forbid people owing more than $10,000 in back child support from running for office in Illinois. House Bill 3932, filed Tuesday by state Rep. Jack Franks, D-Marengo, would require statements of candidacy to include a statement that the person running for office is not delinquent by $10,000 or more... READ MORE
Sears Considers Leaving Illinois For Better Tax Deal
December 2, 2011 - NPR
Thousands of jobs are on the line in a competition between states over the corporate headquarters of Sears. Several states are offering tax incentive packages to try to lure the company away from Illinois, including one bid from Ohio that's worth up to $400 million... READ MORE
Quinn Says Sears Help is ‘More Than Adequate’ to Keep Headquarters in Illinois
December 2, 2011 - FOX NEWS
Chicago - Governor Quinn said there's no reason to get into a bidding war with the state of Ohio to try to keep Sears Holdings Corp. from leaving Illinois. He said a bill that offers tax breaks to Sears -- and to CME Group -- already passed the state Senate with bi-partisan support... READ MORE
Kadner: Property tax bill defeated but fight isn’t over
November 11, 2011 - Southtown Star
Jack Franks (D-63rd) said Friday he will reintroduce legislation in January to give homeowners relief. His bill to freeze property tax levies in communities where assessed values decline was resoundingly defeated 73 to 34 in the Illinois House last... READ MORE
Legislature can refresh PTELL’s effect
October 28, 2011 - Northwest Herald
The total amount they can collect in property taxes to 5 percent or the rate of inflation whichever is less excluding new growth but given current circumstances that s a facet we can pretty...
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Rep. Jack Franks Pushes Property Tax Protection Bill
October 28, 2011 - FOX NEWS 9 pm
It has been a busy week in Springfield as lawmakers tackle everything from gambling to property taxes. Democratic State Rep Jack Franks joined us from Springfield to talk about his proposal to protect homeowners from soaring property taxes...
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Lobbyists fight Franks tax relief bill
October 28, 2011 - Northwest Herald
Local government lobbyists paid by your tax dollars are fighting hard to kill a bill aimed at limiting property tax increases in a declining housing market Interest groups representing...
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Quinn: Law barred me from disclosing DCFS trouble
October 18, 2011 - Chicago Tribune
Gov. Pat Quinn said Tuesday that an ethics law barred him from letting the public know seven weeks ago that he was dumping the director of the state's child-welfare agency over allegations of fraud and mismanagement. He said the law forced him to remain silent about the real reason for getting rid of Director Erwin McEwen until state inspectors finished their probe... READ MORE
Local legislators weigh in on fall veto session
October 10, 2011 - Northwest Herald
The General Assembly has a lot on its agenda when it convenes this month for the fall veto session.
From Gov. Pat Quinn’s veto of ComEd rate increases to pay for a “smart grid” to the controversial gambling expansion bill – to say nothing of the $86 billion pension elephant in the chambers – legislators have a lot to address during the six-day session, which starts Oct. 25... READ MORE
Franks to run again for 63rd district
September 15, 2011 - Northwest Herald
There’s a right way to streamline Illinois’ unwieldy government, and there’s a wrong way. The wrong way is the approach apparently embraced by some state leaders: death by a thousand cuts. A few examples of the piecemeal approach: The action: Gov. Pat Quinn signs the state budget, but he cuts $11.3 million to pay regional superintendents’ salaries. The apparent goal: Eliminate regional offices of education... READ MORE
Legislative ethics? They're only suggestions.
August 27, 2011 - Chicago Tribune
"Recently, Randy Erford, the Executive Director of the Legislative Ethics Commission, and I were invited by the National Conference of State Legislatures to speak in Springfield with a visiting delegation of South African legislative leaders on the subject of ethics and ethics reform in Illinois. The NCSL representative informed us that the delegation was especially interested in Illinois... READ MORE
Illinois State Representative Jack Franks joins Don and Roma
July 20, 2011 - WLS 890AM
Illinois Representative Jack Franks (D-Woodstock) joins Don and Roma - 7/20/2011 Download this show Listen Don and Roma talk with Don's favorite Illinois Democrat, State Rep. Jack Franks. Franks talks about businesses that are allowed to hold state taxes from our paychecks--up to 10 years. How does Illinois attract more business without sweetheart deals?
COLUMN-Paying taxes your employer keeps-David Cay Johnston
July 19, 2011 - Reuters
Painful as it feels to have a lot of hard-earned income taken from your paycheck for taxes, a new Illinois law does something Americans may find surprising. It lets some employers pocket taxes for 10 years. You read that right -- in Illinois the state income taxes withheld from your paycheck may be kept by your employer under a law that took effect in May... READ MORE
Gambling In Illinois
July 13, 2011 - WGN Radio 720
CHI Crime Commission VP Arthur Bilek and IL state reps Lou Lang & Jack Franks debate the expansion of gambling in Chicago and Illinois... LISTEN HERE
Streamline government
July 13, 2011 - Northwest Herald
There’s a right way to streamline Illinois’ unwieldy government, and there’s a wrong way. The wrong way is the approach apparently embraced by some state leaders: death by a thousand cuts. A few examples of the piecemeal approach: The action: Gov. Pat Quinn signs the state budget, but he cuts $11.3 million to pay regional superintendents’ salaries. The apparent goal: Eliminate regional offices of education... READ MORE
Tax cap law needs tweak
July 5, 2011 - Northwest Herald
Many homeowners this spring learned the hard way that Illinois’ “tax cap” law is not really a cap at all. The “tax cap,” or Property Tax Extension Limitation Law, as it officially is known, simply limits the amount that local taxing bodies can increase their tax levies each year to 5 percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is less. When the rule was implemented in the collar counties, including McHenry County, in 1991, it rescued property owners from steep tax increases as their land grew in value... READ MORE
Bill aims to limit property taxes
June 30, 2011 - Northwest Herald
Many Illinois homeowners were shocked, disgusted, or both, when their 2010 property taxes stayed the same or increased despite sharp declines in their assessments. A bill filed in Springfield seeks to help make the tax cap the friend of the Illinois property owner that it was when values were on the rise. House Bill 3793 would forbid any taxing body whose total assessed value decreases from the previous year, excluding new construction, from collecting an increase... READ MORE
Lawmakers approve $18B spending bill
June 22, 2011 - ABC 7 News
(SPRINGFIELD, Ill.) (WLS) -- Illinois lawmakers avoided a possible shutdown of state construction projects by approving an $18 billion spending bill during a special session. Senate President John Cullerton introduced the stripped-down public works bill without explaining how it was different. "I would ask everyone to vote "aye." Be happy to answer any questions," Sen. Cullerton said... WATCH VIDEO AND READ MORE
Jack Franks - Illinois State Representative - joins Don and Roma
June 20, 2011 - WLS 890AM
Wiggle room in Motorola Mobility's state tax break
June 19, 2011 - Chicago Tribune
The fine print in a contract between Illinois and Motorola Mobility indicates that the smartphone company can maintain a smaller workforce than the one it employs today and still qualify for more than $110 million in financial incentives designed to keep the company's workers in the state... READ MORE
Wrong way to support businesses
June 17, 2011 - Chicago Tribune
As a small-business owner, I know the impact of the corporate tax increase the state imposed. The tax rate of 9.5 percent is the fourth highest in the nation. I voted against that tax hike, along with the 67 percent personal income tax increase, because Illinois needs to stop spending beyond its means and passing the burden along to the taxpayers... READ MORE
Illinois Still Fighting for a Balanced Budget
June 7, 2011 - FOX NEWS Business Network
State Rep. Jack Franks on the need for Illinois to cut spending.
Illinois Treasurer Calls to End State Borrowing
May 25, 2011 - FOX NEWS Business Network
State Rep. Jack Franks says the state needs to stop borrowing money from the federal government.
Jack Franks - Illinois State Representative - joins Don and Roma
May 25, 2011 - WLS 890AM
Don and Roma talk with Illinois Representative Jack Franks. They talk about the budget battle in Springfield. Why won't Governor Quinn listen to spending cuts? What seems to be the problem in Springfield regarding balancing a budget? Why do we give so much money to private corporations to stay in Illinois? What has Rep. Franks done to try and cut spending... READ MORE
Illinois spending heavily to retain companies
May 17, 2011 - Chicago Tribune
Illinois in 2011 is on pace to provide much more money in financial incentive programs to businesses to retain and add jobs, with the total through early May exceeding $230 million pledged to 27 companies. That is nearly the amount pledged all of last year by Illinois to keep corporations from leaving the state or to attract businesses to relocate or expand here, the Tribune has learned... READ MORE
Legislators hoping Quinn to be more involved in budget
May 8, 2011- Galva News
SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. Pat Quinn notched a rare legislative victory last week, when his last-minute veto threat apparently played a role in the defeat of a proposal to allow people to carry concealed handguns in Illinois. Otherwise, however, observers say Quinn hasn’t been closely involved with General Assembly deliberations this spring – even on proposals Quinn himself initiated... READ MORE
State recoups $89K of $1 million after Blagojevich ‘mistake’
April 27, 2011 - Chicago Sun-Times
SPRINGFIELD — State efforts to recoup $1 million that impeached ex-Gov. Blagojevich said he errantly gave to Loop Lab School yielded Illinois taxpayers a paltry $89,000, Illinois Auditor General William Holland disclosed Thursday... READ MORE
House balks at budget
March 31, 2011 - Northwest Herald
SPRINGFIELD – Leaders of the Illinois House threw cold water on Gov. Pat Quinn’s budget Wednesday by pushing forward with a plan to cut his proposed spending and ignore his call to borrow billions of dollars. Local legislators see this as a step in the right direction, but say a sustainable budget still is a long way off... READ MORE
Illinois House Leaders Ignoring Quinn's Budget Plan
March 30, 2011 - FOX Chicago News
Springfield, Ill. - Illinois House leaders are pushing forward with a budget plan that would ignore many of the governor's spending proposals. The top Democrat and top Republican in the House said Wednesday they have settled on the amount of money available for major categories of state government. Now, House committees will decide which services get a piece of that money and which don't... READ MORE
Franks alleges fiscal abuse on Metra board
March 11, 2011 - Northwest Herald
State Rep. Jack Franks is taking aim at the expenses of the Metra Board’s chairwoman and treasurer in his effort to eliminate and consolidate all four Chicago mass transit boards. At a Thursday news conference in Springfield, Franks accused Chairwoman Carole Doris and Treasurer Jack Schaffer of fiscal improprieties at the expense of taxpayers. Schaffer is McHenry County’s representative on the 11-member board, which Franks said should resign... READ MORE
Franks wants Metra board cleared
March 11, 2011 - Daily Herald
SPRINGFIELD — Rep. Jack Franks said Wednesday that all of Metra’s board members should step down, saying they’ve been able to avoid paying certain taxes because of how their jobs are classified. At Springfield news conference, Franks said the board members shouldn’t be considered typical “employees” and therefore shouldn’t get out of paying taxes on their health benefits... READ MORE
Legislator: Metra board wasting money, should resign
March 11, 2011 - Chicago Sun-Times
SPRINGFIELD — The head of a House government oversight panel Thursday identified a pattern of “deliberate, deceitful” financial abuses by Metra board members and called for them to resign. State Rep. Jack Franks (D-Marengo), chairman of the House State Government Administration Committee, zeroed in on Metra Chairman Carole Doris’ out-of-state travel and the free health care and dual government pensions that the board’s treasurer, former state Sen. Jack Schaffer, collects... READ MORE
Transit board seats give elected officials a second public paycheck
March 6, 2011 - Daily Herald
Nearly two dozen current and former suburban officials already collecting pay or pensions are among those costing taxpayers more than $1 million a year in salaries or health-care benefits for serving on transit boards. A Daily Herald analysis of payroll records from the Regional Transportation Authority, Metra, Pace and Illinois State Toll Highway Authority shows nearly half of the combined members of those appointed boards already draw a salary or pension from holding public office, in many cases from serving as a suburban mayor or village president... READ MORE
Franks is fiscal hawk
February 28, 2011 - Daily Herald
I read the Northwest Herald’s Jan. 22 assessment of the “Granny Tax” recently imposed by our tax hungry state legislature and agree that our state needs to explore other options to address our deficit. So much has gone wrong in Springfield, but our McHenry County legislators have been on the right side of the issues the entire time. Most importantly, State Rep. Jack Franks voted against the income tax, corporate tax and nursing home bed tax hikes... READ MORE
Franks seeks elimination of tollway board pay
January 24, 2011 - Daily Herald
After taking aim at the benefits provided to the appointed boards of public transit agencies, state Rep. Jack Franks is going after the tollway board’s perks now. The Woodstock Democrat introduced legislation that would eliminate salaries, insurance benefits and pensions for the nine-member board of directors appointed by Gov. Pat Quinn... READ MORE
Illinois in a State of Emergency?
January 18, 2010 - FOX Chicago News
State Rep. Jack Franks discusses why he did not vote in favor of a tax increase. VIEW MORE
Tax Increase Bad Law: Jack Franks
January 13, 2010 - FOX Chicago News
Governor Quinn is expected to sign the big tax hike into law as early as Thursday. State Representative Jack Franks of Woodstock joined us from Springfield. He was one of only a handful of Democrats who voted against the increase. VIEW MORE
Goodbye, jobs
January 11, 2011 - Chicago Tribune
At least 1/11/11 will be easy to remember. On that day, with the state of Illinois mired at 48th place nationwide in job creation, Democratic leaders dragged through the lame-duck House a tax plan sure to make many employers do their hiring somewhere else. We'll leave to the Tax Foundation and other data outfits the task of calibrating precisely how much more uncompetitive Illinois becomes if the Senate passes and Gov. Pat Quinn signs this fiasco into law... READ MORE
Franks Bashes Tax Hike
January 11, 2011 - The News - Gazette
SPRINGFIELD – With the help of "yes" votes from at least 10 lawmakers serving their last hours in the Legislature, the Illinois House approved a 66 percent income tax increase Tuesday night. The 60-57 vote came around 8 p.m., with less than 16 hours remaining in the 96th General Assembly. Among area lawmakers, only state Democratic Rep. Naomi Jakobsson of Urbana voted for the tax increase. She had said for months that she would do so... READ MORE
Income Tax Hike
January 9, 2011 - Wand TV
State Rep Jack Franks says lawmakers need to look to the governor’s office for support on the 75 percent income tax increase.
Jack Franks on Tax Vote
January 9, 2011 - Illinois Statehouse News
State Rep Jack Franks says lawmakers need to look to the governor’s office for support on the 75 percent income tax increase.
Illinois House leaves town without voting on income-tax hike
January 7, 2011 - Chicago Tribune
SPRINGFIELD --- House lawmakers left town today without voting on a major income-tax increase as doubts emerged about whether there's enough support to pass it. “The votes aren’t here in the House yet,” said Rep. Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley, a House budget expert. “There’s not 60 votes.” House Speaker Michael Madigan has not commented on the proposal yet, but was expected to meet with Gov. Pat Quinn behind closed doors today to fine-tune the plan. The governor also has been asking individual lawmakers into his office to lobby them for support... READ MORE
Legislature approves watchdog over transit agencies
January 6, 2011 - Chicago Tribune
Eight months after longtime Metra boss Phil Pagano committed suicide in the face of possible criminal charges, the General Assembly voted to give the state's top ethics official new watchdog power over Chicago's mass transit agencies. Under a bill approved Thursday, the state's executive inspector general would have wide authority to help guard against corruption, waste and fraud at the Regional Transportation Authority, the CTA, Metra and Pace... READ MORE
Illinois takes steps to stop doctors who sexually abuse patients
November 29, 2010 - Chicago Tribune
Rudy Bermudez was so upset when his fellow members on the Medical Board of California restored the license of a doctor convicted of sexually abusing a patient that when Bermudez was later elected to the state Assembly he penned legislation to revoke the license automatically of every doctor with a sex-crime conviction. As Illinois policymakers begin crafting better ways to stop sexual misconduct by physicians in this state, Bermudez says... READ MORE
Lawmakers target transit agencies
November 27, 2010 - Chicago Tribune
Two state lawmakers are taking aim at top officials at Metra and other transit agencies, seeking to replace all their board members and eliminate their pay and benefits. Separate measures submitted by Rep. Jack Franks, D-Marengo, and Sen. Terry Link, D-Vernon Hills, call for sweeping out all the mass-transit directors as a result of the corruption scandal involving Metra's longtime boss, the late Phil Pagano... READ MORE
Why aren't they gone?
November 22, 2010 - Chicago Tribune
Every time we write about how the Metra rail system was fleeced in broad daylight by an executive director run amok, we hear from angry readers who want to know why Metra's board of directors hasn't been fired. It's a fair question. Here's one answer: The Metra board has almost as many bosses as it has members. The 11 directors are appointed by politicians in eight jurisdictions, a power-sharing compromise that's more about turf protection than joint governance... READ MORE
Franks bill would axe transit salaries
November 19, 2010 - Northwest Herald
Salaries and benefits for members of boards overseeing mass transit and the Illinois Tollway would be abolished under a legislative push by state Rep. Jack Franks. Franks, D-Marengo, has filed bills in the fall veto session aimed at eliminating salaries, health care and pension benefits for members of the operating boards of the Regional Transportation Authority, Metra, Pace, the Chicago Transit Authority and the Illinois Toll Highway Authority... READ MORE
We don't need a lieutenant governor
November 13, 2010 - Daily Herald
It's been almost 22 months since Rod Blagojevich lost his impeachment trial and Pat Quinn replaced him as governor. During that time, the state of Illinois has operated without a lieutenant governor. Has anybody noticed any difference? Has anybody worried about it? Has anyone issued dire warnings that the absence of a lieutenant governor threatens the stability of state government?... READ MORE
Franks wants more transparency at local government level
November 12, 2010 - Northwest Herald
Legislation introduced this week would make local government salary information available at any time to anyone with a computer and Internet access. State Rep. Jack Franks, D-Marengo, wants to expand the Illinois Transparency and Accountability Portal, which lists information at the state level including employee pay, agency expenditures, and agency contracts. “We need to become much more transparent in the state of Illinois, and that has been a problem we have had for as long as I can remember,” Franks said... READ MORE
State House District 63: Franks
October 18, 2010 - Daily Herald
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... READ MORE
State Rep. D-63: Franks
October 7, 2010 - Northwest Herald
Democrats in Springfield largely are responsible for the fiscal mess in which the state of Illinois finds itself. Democrats have controlled the House, Senate and the governor’s office for each of the past eight years. They’ve had the opportunity to fix this state’s many problems, but instead have made them worse. So recommending an incumbent Democrat for state office this year would seem to be recommending more of the same... READ MORE
Change the House
October 1, 2010 - Chicago Tribune
The Tribune offers more endorsements in contested races for the Illinois House. 41st District (west suburbs) — Voters won't go wrong choosing between Republican attorney Chris Nybo, a member of the Elmhurst City Council, and Democrat Brian Stephenson, an attorney from La Grange Park. They agree on many issues, including resistance to an income tax increase. It's great to hear Stephenson talk about abolishing Cook County townships... READ MORE
Recall amendment to state Constitution on Nov. 2 ballot
October 1, 2010 - Northwest Herald
Voters will be asked Nov. 2 whether they want to amend the Illinois Constitution to allow the public to recall future governors. If approved, the amendment would set up a system by which voters could remove the governor from office. Given the fact that two consecutive Illinois governors have been convicted on corruption charges, and that five previous governors have been indicted, supporters say the mechanism is needed to keep the state’s chief executive honest... READ MORE
Ill. voters to decide on recall option for guvs
October 1, 2010 - BND.com
CHICAGO -- Illinois voters may soon get the power to remove a sitting governor from office, thanks in part to ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Advocates of voter recall had been trying for years to amend the Illinois Constitution so that people could get rid of unpopular officials. Their efforts went nowhere until Blagojevich was arrested and then impeached by lawmakers. Suddenly, legislators were eager to put a recall amendment on the ballot, so long as it didn't affect them... READ MORE
Voters To Decide On Recall Option For Governors
October 1, 2010 - CBS2 Chicago
Illinois voters may soon get the power to remove a sitting governor from office, thanks in part to ex-Gov. Rod Blagojevich. Advocates of voter recall had been trying for years to amend the Illinois Constitution so that people could get rid of unpopular officials. Their efforts went nowhere until Blagojevich was arrested and then impeached by lawmakers... READ MORE
Probe needed in lottery bid
September 24, 2010 - Northwest Herald
The circumstances surrounding the awarding of management of the state lottery to a private firm are, at best, shady. That’s why we join local legislators in asking the state Attorney General’s Office to look into the process. Last week, Gov. Pat Quinn handed Northstar Lottery Group a contract to manage the state’s lottery for the next 10 years. Two companies, Northstar and Camelot Group, were finalists for the contract. Three Northstar subsidiaries already have contracts with the state to run specific lottery operations... READ MORE
Lawmakers question
lottery deal
September 22, 2010 - Northwest Herald
CRYSTAL LAKE – Concerns about the process that awarded management of the Illinois Lottery to a private firm could prompt an investigation by the Attorney General’s Office. State Rep. Jack Franks, who has been critical of the privatization, sent a letter to Attorney General Lisa Madigan requesting that her office take a closer look at the Illinois Lottery Evaluation Committee and how the contract was awarded... READ MORE
Legislator seeks attorney general probe of lottery deal
September 19, 2010 - THE STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER
SPRINGFIELD -- A legislator who has been critical of the state’s hiring of a private manager to run the Illinois Lottery wants Attorney General Lisa Madigan to investigate how the choice was made. Rep. Jack Franks, D-Marengo, said Friday the way Northstar Lottery Group was selected was too secretive. “For good reason, there is great fear in the state of Illinois that, without transparency, clout-heavy bidders will unfairly win contracts based on their relationships rather than their value to the taxpayers,” Franks wrote in his letter to the attorney general... READ MORE
Lottery workers protected after private managers take over
September 19, 2010 - THE STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER
Current employees of the Illinois Lottery will have job protections even after a private manager takes over lottery operations next year. The legislation that authorized the state to look for a private manager specified that current workers could not lose their jobs as a result of the takeover. The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which represents about 150 lottery employees, insisted on the protections... READ MORE
Illinois’ Jobless Picture Improving
September 16, 2010 - Illinois Statehouse News
SPRINGFIELD – One in ten people in Illinois is still out of work, but the latest numbers show the jobless rate in the state is improving. Unemployment numbers released Thursday show the jobless rate in August slipped to 10.1 percent, down from 10.3 percent in July. In August of 2009, Illinois’ unemployment rate sat at 10.6 percent. Illinois’ unemployment figures are still higher than the national average. Across the country, the jobless rate ticked to 9.6 percent in August... READ MORE
Illinois picks Northstar to run state lottery
September 15, 2010 - The Times
SPRINGFIELD — Illinois is banking its luck on a few businesses to help boost its fortunes with the state lottery. Gov. Pat Quinn Wednesday selected the Northstar Lottery Group to enter into a contract with the state to privately manage the lottery In an unprecedented agreement for Illinois. In winning the contract, the Northstar consortium beat out the other finalist, the Camelot Group, which manages the national lottery in the United Kingdom... READ MORE
Quinn's Secret Lottery Deal Must Be Stopped
September 14, 2010 - The Huffington Post
The stars are aligning for another bad deal for Illinois taxpayers, one that will dwarf the mistakes of Chicago's parking meter fiasco. At any moment, Governor Pat Quinn is set to receive a recommendation from his administration's secret Illinois Lottery evaluation committee on who will manage the day-to-day operations of the Illinois Lottery. Governor Quinn is scheduled to make his official decision by Wednesday... READ MORE
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
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.
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
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.
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