New law could shed light on transit employment

The Regional Transportation Authority eventually will have to include on its website information about worker salaries and spending at Metra, Pace and the Chicago Transit Authority under a new law signed Friday.

The reform follows criticisms of hiring at Metra in particular, where former CEO Alex Clifford was given a controversial settlement in 2013 after clashing with the board over hiring at the commuter rail agency.

Clifford left after charging that two former board members tried to push him out for not condoning political patronage pressure from lawmakers such as House Speaker Michael Madigan.

The new law would also lets the RTA review some large settlement agreements the other transit authorities consider, a direct result of the Clifford controversy.

Gov. Pat Quinn signed the plan into law Friday, and it takes effect Jan. 1.

New RTA Chairman Kirk Dillard voted for the plan in May while still serving in the Illinois Senate.