Franks wants Metra board cleared

SPRINGFIELD — Rep. Jack Franks said Wednesday that all of Metra’s board members should step down, saying they’ve been able to avoid paying certain taxes because of how their jobs are classified.

At Springfield news conference, Franks said the board members shouldn’t be considered typical “employees” and therefore shouldn’t get out of paying taxes on their health benefits.

He also singled out Washington, D.C., hotel stays by Chairwoman Carole Doris that exceeded $500 a night.

“Metra is a culture of entitlement,” said Franks, a Marengo Democrat.

Multiple messages left for Metra’s spokeswoman were not returned Thursday.

Metra board members make $15,000 a year, plus benefits.

Board member and Arlington Heights Mayor Arlene Mulder defended the board, saying they’ve been meeting frequently recently and hired a new executive director to replace Phil Pagano.

Pagano killed himself last year by stepping in front of a Metra train. It was later discovered he took $475,000 in vacation pay that wasn’t approved.

Mulder said she’s focused on Metra and making it work as best it can, not on her salary or benefits.

“We have met many times,” she said. “We have created a lot of committees.”

Franks has legislation trying to strip the board of its pension and medical benefits, as well as salaries. He says board members don’t deserve such perks for attending monthly meetings.

A Daily Herald report this week showed that current and former suburban officials were making money on from their work on the Metra board and the boards of other transit agencies even though they were already collecting either another government salary or pension.

Franks said the Metra board should be replaced quickly. “You pull off the bandage and it hurts a little bit, but that’s what you need to do,” he said.