Franks’ campaign raises $1.3 million
State Rep. Jack Franks raised almost $1.32 million in the first half of 2009, signaling that he is “very serious” about a potential gubernatorial bid.
His campaign committee, Supporters of Jack D. Franks, filed the report late Friday with the Illinois State Board of Elections. The campaign had $61,669 on hand, and an additional $100,000 in investments, as of its prior report.
Franks, D-Marengo, is deciding whether to run for governor or a seventh term representing the 63rd District. He first was elected in 1998.
“This means if I do decide, I’ll have the resources necessary to run the campaign,” Franks said.
More than $1 million of Franks’ war chest came from his immediate family. His parents, Herb and Eileen Franks, donated a combined $700,000; his wife, Deborah, donated $200,000; and Jack Franks lent $150,000 to his campaign.
The list did not include his Marengo law firm, Franks, Gerkin & McKenna – Franks said he felt it inappropriate to solicit or accept contributions from co-workers.
“Lots of people gave a little, and some major donors gave a lot,” Franks said. “I don’t want to be, I never have been beholden to the special interests, so I went to the people who know me best.”
He said in a written statement that he makes “no apologies for the business success my family has achieved,” and that he intends to “bring that business acumen to Illinois government.”
Besides surviving for six terms in a Republican-leaning county, Franks has made a name for himself as being one of the earliest and loudest critics of former Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who was removed from office earlier this year after his Dec. 9 arrest on federal corruption charges.
Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn, a longtime friend of Franks’, ascended to governor. But Franks has been very critical of Quinn’s handling of the state budget, which lawmakers approved Wednesday, two weeks into the fiscal year.
Campaign committees for Quinn, Comptroller Dan Hynes, and state Rep. Julie Hamos, D-Evanston, had not filed their six-month reports as of Friday. Those politicians, too, are considering running for governor in the Feb. 2, 2010, primary.
Hynes is the strongest financially, having reported $2.8 million on hand as of March 8.