Power struggle brewing over Metra board
The future of the Metra board of directors is in flux as state senators and county chairmen discuss their fate behind closed doors.
Since the suicide of former Executive Director Phil Pagano last spring during a financial misconduct probe, the agency has worked to get its house in order amid fallout from the scandal.
Officials hired a new CEO and instituted reforms, but several state senators say that's not enough and are pushing for all directors to step down.
That's touched off tension between legislators and some county chairmen who have the authority to appoint directors to Metra's 11-member board and are backing those representatives. The two sides met recently and talks are ongoing, but there's no resolution yet.
Board Chairman Carole Doris announced her resignation April 15. Lawmakers such as Sen. Terry Link, a Waukegan Democrat, contend the entire board needs to go.
“We need fresh faces in there,” Link said. “I don't want to say it was one person's fault ... I don't want to point a finger. The only way to resolve it is to have a new board.”
But DuPage County Chairman Dan Cronin, a former Republican state senator, said he anticipates a more gradual transition on the Metra board that won't involve resignations en masse.
In addition to Doris, Metra Director Ed Paesel, representing South suburban Cook County, stepped down this month. Other directors are expected to leave this year, Cronin said. His appointment of businessman Paul Darley to fill Doris' spot was confirmed by the DuPage County Board Tuesday.
“Legislators are seeking new leadership on the board — it is happening,” Cronin said. “A transition is under way. Reforms are happening.”
That gradual approach won't satisfy lawmakers, such as Lake Forest Democrat Sen. Susan Garrett, who have been critical of Metra's handling of the crisis.
“The entire board should be reconstituted,” she said.
The votes are there to pass the legislation in the Senate, Link said. But a proposal in the Illinois House requiring Metra board resignations, pitched by state Rep. Jack Franks, a Marengo Democrat, died in committee recently. Meanwhile, some Metra insiders are putting out feelers to a variety of candidates including former Regional Transportation Authority Chairman Thomas McCracken to see if there's any interest in the chairmanship but with no takers, one official said. Other names that have surfaced include current Metra directors Jim LaBelle and Arlene Mulder and former DuPage County Board Chairman Gayle Franzen.
Several Metra directors said it would be unproductive to end their terms.
“I almost view it as throwing the baby out with the bath water,” said Director Caryl Van Overmeiren, of Geneva. “We've made major changes to improve what's going on at Metra.”
Mulder, who also is mayor of Arlington Heights, said that “We're trying to right the wrong that occurred. Our mission is to get everything back in place. This is a top-notch organization and we're working hard to regain the respect we once had.”
LaBelle, who is from Zion, acknowledged it's an uncertain time. But by May or June, “it will be resolved one way or the other,” he said.
Republican state Sen. Kirk Dillard of Hinsdale said he didn't have a major problem with the Link legislation as long as a stellar Metra board of directors could be reappointed and it didn't take away appointing authority from county chairmen.
Metra directors are selected by collar county board chairmen, the Cook County chairman and suburban board members and mayor of Chicago.
“The current selection system assures an equal share of power,” Dillard said.