HR1528 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1528 LRB099 24143 MST 51866 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to honor our esteemed colleague, State Representative Jack D. Franks, on his 18 years as a member of the Illinois General Assembly and thank him for his dedicated service to our State and his community; and

WHEREAS, Representative Franks was born and raised in McHenry County, where he and his wife, Debby, chose to raise their sons, Sam and Henry, first near Woodstock then returning to his hometown of Marengo; and

WHEREAS, Representative Franks sought to give back to the community he loves by entering public service; he won his first election to the House of Representatives in November of 1998 by just 138 votes, becoming the first Democrat to win a major office in McHenry County in nearly 20 years; and

WHEREAS, Representative Franks has served as a steady and forceful voice for McHenry County taxpayers and their values, demanding a more responsible, efficient, and ethical government; and

WHEREAS, Representative Franks has worked with Democrats and Republicans in pursuit of bipartisan compromise; his work with colleagues from throughout the State has resulted in positive reforms for the people of McHenry County and Illinois, including laws that empower voters to consolidate unnecessary and duplicative units of local government, hold corporations accountable for use of taxpayer dollars, and help elderly residents purchase expensive prescription drugs at lower costs; and

WHEREAS, Always mindful of the needs of his local communities, Representative Franks continuously fought for schools and roads in McHenry County, including working to secure grants for library and school construction, and funds to improve major arteries such as U.S. Route 14 and Illinois Routes 47 and 173; and

WHEREAS, Representative Franks constantly fought for good government, accountability, and transparency as Chairman of the House State Government Administration Committee, where he thoroughly vetted legislation while working to streamline State government and holding government officials of both political parties accountable; he initiated and spearheaded the efforts to impeach former Gov. Rod Blagojevich and helped to pass landmark ethics reforms; and

WHEREAS, Many in McHenry County have proudly displayed the congratulatory certificates Representative Franks would present to honor roll students from local elementary schools and high schools; he sought to acknowledge students for their success outside of the classroom with his "A For Effort" awards; and

WHEREAS, Representative Franks will depart the Illinois General Assembly to continue his public service as the first popularly elected Chairman of the McHenry County Board; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate and honor State Representative Jack D. Franks for his dedicated service as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Representative Franks as an expression of our respect, esteem, and best wishes in his future endeavors.