Jack D. Franks

Jack Franks
Member of the Illinois House of Representatives
from the 63rd district
Assumed office
January 1999 (1999-January)
Preceded by Michael J. Brown
Personal details
Born (1963-10-02) October 2, 1963
Belvidere, Illinois
Political party Democratic
Residence Marengo, Illinois
Alma mater University of Wisconsin
Washington College of Law
Profession Attorney
Religion Jewish

Jack D. Franks (born October 2, 1963) is a member of the Illinois House of Representatives, representing the 63rd district since 1999. The McHenry area district includes all or parts of Harvard, Marengo, Woodstock, Bull Valley, Wonder Lake, Illinois, Greenwood, McHenry, Fox Lake, Spring Grove, Johnsburg and Lakemoor.[1]

In the Illinois House of Representatives, Franks serves as chairman of the State Government Administration committee since 2003.[2]

Career

Franks was first elected to the Illinois House of Representatives in 1998 defeating the incumbent by 138 votes to become one of the first Democrats to represent the largely Republican McHenry area in the Illinois General Assembly.[3][4]

When Franks initially ran for office, he pledged to serve only three terms,[5][6] however as of 2015 he is serving his ninth.

As Chair of the State Government Administration Committee, Rep. Franks called for the first audits of a sitting governor in the history of Illinois and was the first Democrat to openly criticize Rod Blagojevich.[7]

Presently, Representative Franks serves on the Illinois Aging Committee, Public Utilities Committee, Chairman of the State Government Administration Committee, Chairman of the International Trade & Commerce Committee, and Vice-Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee.[8]

Outside of serving Illinois' 63rd District, Representative Franks is a practicing attorney at the law firm of Franks, Gerkin & McKenna. He holds two degrees: a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin/Madison and a law degree from the American University Washington College of Law. He is a member of multiple chambers of commerce in the McHenry County area. Finally, he spends his off time with his wife, Debby, and two children.[8]

In 2014, Representative Franks was instrumental in defeating a plan to tax people with seven-figure incomes, a so-called "millionaire's tax" intended to help balance The Illinois budget.

Franks and another Democrat, Rep. Scott Drury, joined every Republican lawmaker in publicly dismissing the millionaires’ tax, leaving the Democrats two votes shy of the 71 they need to move it forward.[9]

Franks most recently voted "present" on an important labor vote in the House. House Democrats were attempting of over ride a veto by Governor Bruce Rauner on SB 1229. SB 1229 would have empowered an arbitrator to settle negotiation disputes between public sector unions and the governor. Its implementation would have impeded the Governor's ability to force a "lock-out" of state workers during contract negotiations.

The House failed to override the Governor's veto by three votes.[10]

References

  1. ↑ Veeneman, Drew. "Map of 63rd District" (PDF). precinctmaps.com. Retrieved 2013-05-26.
  2. ↑ "Representative Jack D. Franks (D), 63rd District". Illinois General Assembly. Retrieved 2013-05-26.
  3. ↑ Ray Long and Christi Parsons. "Madigan, Philip Retain Majorities In Legislature". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved 2013-05-26.
  4. ↑ "General Election - 11/3/1998 63rd Representative". Illinois State Board of Elections. Retrieved 2013-05-26.
  5. ↑ "Unknown Title". The Northwest Herald. 1998-09-20. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
  6. ↑ Peterson, Jami (1998-11-04). "Unknown Title". The Northwest Herald. Retrieved 2014-02-15.
  7. ↑ Jack Franks Huffington Post
  8. 1 2 http://www.ilga.gov/house/rep.asp?memberid=1595
  9. ↑ http://watchdog.org/138274/illinois-millionaires-tax-dies-tax-plans-much-alive/
  10. ↑ http://chicago.suntimes.com/news/7/71/927890/rauner-vs-madigan-springfield-labor-showdown

External links

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