Jack D. Franks represents Illinois’ 63rd Legislative District in the Illinois House of Representatives. As Chairman of the House State Government Administration Committee, Jack initiated and spearheaded the efforts to impeach disgraced former Governor Rod Blagojevich. In 2014, he chaired the Local Government Consolidation Commission and co-chaired the Subcommittee on Tax Policy. Jack is also Vice-Chairman of the House International Trade and Commerce Committee, which promotes international investment in Illinois.
He received his law degree, with honors, from the American University Washington College of Law. As an undergraduate, he studied International Relations and Political Science at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree, with honors, and spent a post-graduate year at the London School of Economics. A third generation resident of McHenry County, Jack lives on a family farm in Marengo with his wife, Debby, and their two sons, Sam and Henry.
1. What is your current position?
I currently serve as State Representative in the 63rd District of Illinois and am the Chairman of State Government Administration in the Illinois House of Representatives.
2. What are your proudest achievements?
I am most proud of holding these positions of leadership accountable. I spearheaded the investigation and ultimate impeachment of former Governor, Blagojevich. I felt as though we gave the government back to the people.
3. What inspires you?
The ability to do good things that will help our citizens. Being able to change the course of some ones life for the better is extraordinarily gratifying. Holding those in power accountable for all the citizens is what drives my efforts.
4. What has been the biggest obstacle in your career?
Poison partisan politics. Unfortunately, because of the huge influx of money in our political system individuals who used to work across the partisan divide are now rarer and rarer. As a result our government often times is in gridlock and dysfunctional. Ultimately, it is the citizens who pay the price for their leader’s inability to work together.
5. Who has been the biggest on your career to date?
My wife has been the biggest influence because without her support I would not ever have been in the position to be elected and continue to serve the citizens of Illinois.
6. What is the best aspect about you current role?
Meeting the incredible people that I have the privilege of representing. I am so fortunate to be able to interact with my constituents and be able to work on their behalf. Each day is a pleasure.
7. And the worst?
Asking people for campaign money. I absolutely hate fundraising for money to run for office. It is not what our founding fathers considered when creating our democracy.
8. What are your long term goals?
I plan on stepping down from the House of Representatives and becoming the Chief Executive of our County, which has a population in excess of 310,000 people. I wish to implement a more efficient and streamlined government and reduce property taxes for my residents. I will bridge the partisan divide by showing that good government is good politics and that we all need to work together, for the common good.
9. If you were Prime Minister, what one aspect would you change?
I would be ineligible to be Prime Minister because I am a loyal British subject. However, if given that honor for a day, I would try to find a few extra strikers to help in the World Cup. I’m just saying.
10. If you were maroon on a desert island, which historical figure would you like to spend your time with and why?
A master boat maker, so I can get off the island. Barring that, I’d like to hear Winston Churchill’s stories at his time as a war leader and ask if he could teach me how to paint.
