RTA chief likely to be named Thursday

Regional Transportation Authority board directors are expected to pick a leader Thursday.

The new chairman is likely to be Chicago developer John S. Gates Jr., a former chairman of McPier. Although a Republican, Gates, 56, is seen as bipartisan and someone who can improve the efficiency of the transit agencies the RTA oversees - Pace, Metra and the CTA.

"He's someone who can be equally tough with business and labor and ask very probing questions that save the taxpayers millions of dollars," said state Sen. Kirk Dillard, a supporter.

"He's a hard-nosed business person who can squeeze out maximum efficiencies from mass transit agencies," the Hinsdale Republican added.

Former Chairman Jim Reilly left the 16-member board in May to take over as CEO of McPier, the organization that manages McCormick Place and Navy Pier.

RTA Director and Audit Committee Chairman Pat Durante confirmed that a vote on Gates is expected Thursday.

Gates was appointed as McPier board chairman in 2009 by Democrat Mayor Richard M. Daley. Gates is CEO of the private investment firm PortaeCo and co-founded CenterPoint Properties Trust.

He was replaced by Reilly in 2010 after new state legislation that changed the structure of McPier. Gates also served on the McPier board for three years.

The RTA board is selected by a combination of suburban and city officials, meaning a mix of Republicans and Democrats on the board. The chairman is voted on by the board. However, the 15 directors are appointed as follows: five by the mayor of Chicago, five by the chairmen of DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties, one by the Cook County Board president and four by the suburban members of the Cook County Board.