Who’s in and who’s out at NITA as new transit force takes shape

Four Northern Illinois Transit Authority directors are appointed but 16 more are yet to be chosen, as the fledgling agency overseeing Metra, Pace and the CTA takes shape.

The powerful new board will not only exert control over the agencies but also have unprecedented revenues at hand.

The panel will include 20 members: five appointed by the governor; five appointed by the Cook County Board president; five appointed by the mayor of Chicago; and one from each of the DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will county leaders.

With two months remaining before appointing authorities must act, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will leaders already have each of their directors, while DuPage promises a decision in the near future.

Meanwhile, Gov. JB Pritzker, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle haven’t named their NITA choices yet.

As for who chairs the board — tasked with delivering safer trains, service expansion and universal fares — that’s yet to be determined.

Regional Transportation Authority Chairman Kirk Dillard has served for 12 years and would be willing to stay when NITA replaces the RTA in September.

“The chair and the leadership at NITA have to understand what it’s like to live and work in the six-country region and how they all fit together,” said Dillard, a former state senator who was born in Chicago and lives in Hinsdale.

“It’s really critical that there be coordination and not cannibalization by one service board, the CTA, Metra or Pace, or one region.”

But it’s unclear how the various Chicago and suburban camps will break when the board votes on its chair.

“NITA is a transformational plan that will modernize Illinois’ transit system,” a Pritzker spokesperson said Thursday. “The governor’s office is currently evaluating and interviewing potential candidates and will provide an update when appointments are advanced over the coming weeks.”

Meanwhile, the mayor’s office “is on track to meet the Sept. 1 deadline,” officials said.

The 20 NITA directors, 17 of whom will have dual appointments to either the CTA, Metra or Pace boards, are expected to vote on a chair at their first meeting in September. Director salaries range from $15,000 to $25,000, depending on whether they serve on one or two boards.

Who’s on NITA?

The Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act passed in 2025 amid debate over the balance of power between suburban and Chicago board directors, and concerns the Collar Counties were ceding power.

But “now that this legislative process is over … I believe that we will find commonality that allows for the entire region to benefit from this,” Will County NITA appointee and Romeoville Mayor John Noak said.

“I think it’s given a real jolt of energy to the region” regarding the future of transit, added Noak, a Pace director and Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning board member.

Lake County’s Gary Gordon intends to bring a “regional perspective” to NITA. The incoming board member is the Shedd Aquarium’s chief financial and administrative officer, a Metra director and Milwaukee District North commuter.

Post-pandemic, public transit faced a massive shortfall but the NITA Act will funnel millions more to transit agencies through state gas and sales taxes.

Fiscal responsibility “is high on my radar — making sure that opportunity is used effectively and those monies are used in the best way possible,” Gordon said.

McHenry County appointee Brian Sager said NITA will offer local improvements like transit expansion and regionwide benefits such as a seamless fare system for Metra, Pace and CTA.

“I think the new NITA board will really focus on efficiency of resource usage and planning, and making sure we are listening to the needs of the people that we serve,” said Sager, former Woodstock mayor and current RTA director.

Kane Chair Corinne Pierog’s NITA appointee is Sugar Grove’s Brian Dahl, a former county board member and president of the Fox Valley Building and Construction Trades Council.

One more thing

RTA Executive Director Leanne Redden’s contract runs out at the start of 2027, and she’s not expected to stay, sources said.

Rumored candidates for NITA chief include Chicago Metropolitan Planning Agency Executive Director Erin Aleman and former Illinois tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur.

Dillard acknowledged significant change is coming that includes some major positions at the top of the service boards and the RTA, which will allow for new ideas.

“But continuity is critical here in a system that moves 1.6 to 1.8 million riders daily,” he cautioned.