The history behind Metra rate hike

I see Metra has announced another fare increase, service cuts, and they expect another increase next year. As usual, there is nothing about layoffs and reducing staff, especially the politically connected employees who probably are not very essential.

In 2010, Metra CEO Phil Pagano committed suicide after it was revealed he had taken $475,000 in unapproved vacation pay and forged memos to cover it up. Metra then brought in Alex Clifford, an ex-Marine, as CEO to clean up the corruption and improve operations, but he resigned before his contract ran out. It turns out his exit was demanded by the Metra board and he negotiated an $871,000 severance package. Later it came out that he was removed because he did not agree to requests for patronage hiring and promotions, including a request to promote a Madigan supporter. Five board members later resigned and total cost to Metra was $1.3 million.

When this was taking place, political insider Thomas Homer was inspector general. His job was to investigate inappropriate conduct by legislators, but the position did not have the power to do anything meaningful.

Now fast forward to 2017 and an awakening of many people to report harassment, many in Springfield. Harassment complaints were sent to the IG's office where they sat, in some cases, for over a year. After getting a letter with over 200 signatures Madigan finally filed a bill to combat sexual harassment. The corruption in this state affects everyone, and as things get worse, we will pay more as we are seeing in Metra rates now.

Seems like a good time for term limits, a new speaker of the House and an attorney general not named Madigan who might look into what goes on in Springfield.

Michael Haase

Mount Prospect