McHenry Times

McHenry County Chairman Jack Franks refused to answer questions or allow county residents to informally address board members at a recent special meeting that failed to reach a quorum, according to the Edgar County Watchdogs (ECW).

The ECW attended and recorded the meeting, which Franks adjourned shortly after roll call. The ECW's Kirk Allen posted that Franks refused to say whether he had called board members and told them not to attend, therefore making a meeting not possible. Allen contended that this is an intimidation tactic commonly used in Illinois.

Allen also criticized Franks for his interpretation of the Open Meetings Act (OMA), which Allen characterized as shockingly wrong for a lawyer and veteran legislator. After adjourning the meeting, Franks told the ECW that it would be contrary to the OMA for citizens who had shown up for the meeting to share their concerns. 

McHenry County Chairman Jack Franks | www.co.mchenry.il.us

Allen argued that the OMA would be violated only if there were a quorum present and a discussion of county business took place.