Based in Marengo, IL, Jack Franks, a partner at the law firm of Franks, Gerkin, Ponitz & Greeley since 1993, has delivered knowledgeable support in commercial litigation matters. Ensuring that clients receive the full compensation to which they are entitled, he handles high-profile personal injury cases as well as general business law. Jack Franks has served as State Bank Group chairman and has guided eight community banks across McHenry County.
Mr. Franks’ experience extends to a past role as 63rd District Illinois State Representative, and he chaired the State Government Administration Committee of the House of Representatives. As a Special Investigative Committee member, he played a crucial role in the impeachment of then-Governor Rod Blagojevich. Franks also represented McHenry County Board as chairman of the County Board from 2016 to 2020, Mr. Franks spearheaded a revamping of countywide budget policies. He oversaw the process of cutting $28 million from the budget, $9 million of which was directly rebated to homeowners.
Jack Franks is an avid traveler and fisherman who visits Canada each year in search of trophy fish. Having attended high school in Brazil, he has studied abroad in locales such as China, England, and Israel, and considers his favorite destination “wherever I’m going next.”
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
A typical day is returning calls and correspondence early, then going to the office. I keep a list of things that need to be accomplished and tasks to tackle. I get satisfaction when crossing items off the list. I prioritize which issues are most timely and meet with clients to assist them with their needs.
How do you bring ideas to life?
Fortunately, I am blessed to have a good staff who are able to carry out direction and execute effectively. I solicit ideas from friends and colleagues and bounce ideas off them. Through trial and error, we find what works best.
What’s one trend that excites you?
Young people getting more involved in their communities.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
Creating lists and prioritizing calls and letters to respond to first.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Take more time off and slow down. Life is a marathon.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
That Waterworld is a good movie.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Organize each day with things that must be accomplished.
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
Take a deep breath and take a walk. Then I write thoughts down and diagram what needs to be accomplished and in what order.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
Be available and show up. Go the extra mile for your clients and treat each case as if it were your own. Be empathetic and sincere. Care about your clients.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
It took me five tries to pass a law to reduce senior citizen prescriptions costs. I never gave up and kept building support for it until it finally passed. Perseverance is critical. One person who is resilient is in the majority.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
Voice-to-text saves me much time and effort. I use it for quick notes.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
The Book of Five Rings. It’s by a 15th century Japanese samurai warrior by the name of Miyamoto Musashi. It describes strategy and how not to overreact in certain situations.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
The Diplomat. Well-written, witty, and pertinent. I enjoy the complexity of geopolitical issues.
Key learnings
- Effective time management and prioritization is critical for maximizing productivity.
- Persistence and a client-centric approach is key to succeeding professionally.
- Self-care and balance are essential elements for both personal and professional success.