Franks to Koehler: Let's compromise

State Rep. Jack Franks issed the following news release on Thursday:

Franks offers County Board compromise

WOODSTOCK – Furthering his effort to help Illinois’ smaller communities get better representation at the county level, state Rep. Jack Franks (D-Marengo) this week responded to McHenry County Board Chairman Kenneth Koehler’s criticism of legislation aimed at overhauling the manner in which voters elect county board leaders and proposed a solution to bridge the disagreement.

“We both agree that these are very important questions that affect all citizens of McHenry County,” wrote Franks. “As such, we should let the voters decide. You do not wish for me to have the Legislature mandate these requirements, and I believe it is in the best interests of McHenry County residents to directly determine the style of their government.”

Franks’ legislation provides for the Chairman of the County Board to be elected countywide, rather than chosen by County Board members. A companion bill establishes cumulative voting rights in multi-member county board districts, allowing voters to assign their multiple votes to one candidate. Franks has previously passed legislation allowing counties to adopt single-member districts, but McHenry County has refused to do so.

Koehler wrote Franks arguing that the Board is “best positioned to understand the internal needs of the organization.” In response, Franks acknowledged the disagreement and offered a compromise allowing McHenry County voters to make the decision.

“In the spirit of compromise, I propose that I will agree to not to call the bills, if you agree to place two questions on the November ballot as a binding referendum for all citizens to vote on,” Franks continued in his response to Koehler. The Northwest Herald editorialized in favor of this solution on January 14th, arguing that “County voters should decide themselves, via referendum, if they prefer to elect their board chairman rather than having County Board members do it themselves.”

Franks offered not to call his county board reform legislation if Koehler agreed to place questions on November’s ballot asking whether the Chairman of the McHenry County Board should be elected countywide and whether the County Board should be reduced to 17 single-member districts, as opposed to the current 24 member Board. As a sign of good faith, Franks delayed consideration of the legislation, which was to be heard in February 1st, to give Koehler an opportunity to reply.