Posted by chicagomedia.org on April 23, 2009 at 09:30:10:
Franks to co-host radio show
By KEVIN P. CRAVER | NW Herald
Created: Thursday, April 23, 2009 1:15 a.m. CDT
Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich subbed for Don Wade and Roma, but state Rep. Jack Franks is down with the Cow.
The Democrat representing west and northern McHenry County is co-hosting the Mancow and Cassidy morning radio show Friday in place of Pat Cassidy, who has the day off.
Franks has been a frequent guest on the WLS morning show during the impeachment of Blagojevich, whose troubles likely will drive much of the two-hour show.
"Mancow is really intelligent, he's really up to date with what's happening, he's interested and knowledgeable about what's going on in politics," Franks said.
The show airs from 9 to 11 a.m. on WLS 890-AM. Mancow and Cassidy, which began late last year, pairs the unlikely duo of Erich "Mancow" Muller, famous for his syndicated "Mancow's Morning Madhouse," and Cassidy, a 35-year veteran of Chicago news radio.
Franks, one of the former governor's earliest and harshest critics, also has been a guest on the Don Wade and Roma show, which allowed Blagojevich to be guest host March 25 for the vacationing duo.
Neither Muller nor the show's producer could be reached for comment late Wednesday.
Although the topics of Friday's show will not be determined until today, Blagojevich's legal troubles and the efforts to clean up Illinois government in his wake will be topics Franks anticipates addressing. State government began moving to impeach Blagojevich shortly after his Dec. 9 arrest on corruption charges that include allegedly attempting to sell the vacant U.S. Senate seat of President Obama for personal gain.
Franks was on the Illinois House investigative committee that unanimously recommended impeachment. The House voted to impeach Jan. 9, and the state Senate removed Blagojevich from office Jan. 29. A grand jury on April 2 indicted Blagojevich on 16 counts of wire fraud, attempted extortion, racketeering conspiracy, extortion conspiracy, and making false statements to federal agents.
But Franks conceded that state government might not dominate Friday's show, although he said it would be a fun experience regardless of topic.
"You never know with Mancow," Franks said with a laugh.
WLS had offered Blagojevich a regular Sunday radio show if he stepped down as governor, but Blagojevich did not resign and was removed from office.