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Rep. Franks could be slated for county board chairman race

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Illinois

There is widespread speculation that state Rep. Jack Franks will be the candidate that McHenry County Democrats caucus in Sunday to run against Republican Michael Walkup for McHenry County Board chairman.

Franks, D-Marengo, already is on the November ballot seeking re-election to the 63rd District House seat he currently holds. He simultaneously can run for both offices, although he likely wouldn’t serve in both if he were to win both.

Franks and party leaders aren’t talking publicly about the speculation, but if it’s true, what a monster race that would turn out to be.

November will be the first time voters popularly elect their County Board chairman. County Board members themselves have chosen their chairman every two years after the fall election. Not afraid to get involved in county politics, Franks has been an advocate for years for county government’s top official to be elected by voters. And voters in 2014 approved a referendum to popularly elect the chairman beginning this year.

* Since he doesn’t want to confirm anything, I asked Rep. Franks a hypothetical question this morning: Is it possible, hypothetically, to run for both the House and the county board chairmanship at the same time?

“It is, hypothetically,” he replied.

We’ll see what he does.

posted by Rich Miller
Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:42 am

Comments

The story says he wouldn’t serve in both offices.

So he is eligible to serve in both offices if he so chooses?

Comment by Lawrenceville Basketball Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:47 am
The game is afoot …

Comment by RNUG Friday, May 13, 16 @ 9:50 am
I recall Ted Lechowicz served a few years simultaneously in the state Senate and on the Cook County Board.

I think he had a county job, to boot.

That dude never met a public payroll he didn’t like.

Comment by wordslinger Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:02 am
Did Franks step down from his IL Auditor General job?

Comment by Mama Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:23 am
It is a potential win win for Democrats, whether he serves in both positions or not.

A Dem with name recognition runs for Board chairman, and a an incumbent Dem runs for re-election. If he wins both and chooses not to serve in the House, Dems then get to select his replacement and avoid an open race. Speaker Madigan also gets a new, more compliant mushroom.

Even if Rep Franks does not plan to hold both positions, there are benefits to Democrats having him run for both positions.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:31 am
Wrong Frank(s), mama

Comment by Handle Bar Mustache Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:34 am
He should run for both at the same time & serve in both capacities simultaneously … only he can truly serve the people of McHenry County!

Comment by Ottawa Phil Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:41 am
Thanks Handle Bar…

Comment by Mama Friday, May 13, 16 @ 10:49 am
Tony LaRussa used to say this about double-headers: You can win two, You can lose two, or you can split. I don’t like 2/3 of those things. I don’t like double-headers.

Comment by A guy Friday, May 13, 16 @ 12:47 pm