Lake County Gazette

Illinois state Sen. Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry) admits he’s not all that surprised that former Democratic state Rep. Jack Franks finds himself at the center of an investigation where his judgment is being called into question.

“I believe Jack Franks is a charismatic and polished politician, but not a leader,” Wilcox told the Lake County Gazette. “His way is to resort to applying pressure, intimidation, bullying and sometimes outright threats.”

Illinois State Police recently executed a search warrant on the Springfield office of House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) in search of evidence related to allegations of “criminal sexual abuse, criminal sexual assault, official misconduct, stalking and aggravated battery” against McHenry County Board Chairman Franks.

McHenry County Board Chairman Jack Franks

According to sources, Madigan's office made information it had gathered about the case available to authorities in March 2019 after receiving a complaint against Franks from a staff member. After a subsequent investigation, Madigan moved to place restrictions on Franks that included banning him from contact with other staffers in the Speaker’s office.

Wilcox says he has seen it before when it comes to Franks’ questionable decision-making.

“I think the allegations fall in line with the character he has shown,” Wilcox said. “I saw first-hand what he will do when he directed his anger at me in 2017 and threatened to have me arrested and charged, all over his inability to understand the Open Meetings Act. We believe many in McHenry County have experienced these kinds of acts at his hands and we’re hoping that they are now willing to come forward.”

As for Madigan, Wilcox says he is unsure what to make of the moves of his office in the Franks matter.

“These allegations appear to have occurred in 2016 and the Speaker’s office in the past has been known to have a lax attitude with sexual harassment cases,” Wilcox said. “I think Madigan maybe is being a bit reactive here in trying to protect his office, instead of just trying to do what would be the right thing.”