McHenry County Voters Choose Franks in First-Ever Vote for Chairman

For the first time in history, local voters decided Tuesday which of two officeholders is best suited for McHenry County Board Chairman.

Republican candidate Michael Walkup lost to Democratic state Rep. Jack Franks in the race. Walkup fell short by more than 17,000 votes, securing 50,366 to Franks's 67,426.

A successful 2014 referendum changed the way the chairman is chosen. In the past, the 26-member county board selected the official.

Franks is a third-generation McHenry County resident who was elected to serve as a state representative in 1998. His campaign for chairman includes missions such as reducing property taxes, eliminating corruption, eradicating government waste and fraud, and improving local job opportunities and infrastructure. Franks supports freezing county property taxes and then reducing the county’s tax levy by 10 percent.

Franks studied international relations and political science at the University of Wisconsin, Madison, and thereafter, at the American University Washington College of Law, where he received his law degree with honors.

“Together we can build a stronger infrastructure and employment base in our county,” he said, in a statement on his website. “ … As McHenry County Board Chairman, I will continue fighting for the things you and I both believe in.”

Photos courtesy of campaign Facebook pages for Jack Franks (left) and Michael Walkup (right).