Expanding Metra board begins to take shape

The new, improved Metra board of directors is slowly taking shape.

Friday, Lake County representative Jim LaBelle cast his first votes on the panel, which will swell from seven to 11 members as a result of state legislation.

LaBelle is vice president of Chicago Metropolis 2020, a civic organization that promotes a regional approach to growth and planning. Previously he served as the Lake County board chairman, as a county board member and as president of the county's forest preserve.

LaBelle said he was eager to represent Lake County but doesn't intend to be parochial.

"Our mission is to provide the best transit for people who live in the region," he said. "Suburban growth has been huge and the commuting patterns have gotten more complicated."

LaBelle lives in Zion and uses Metra regularly to get to work in Chicago, he said.

Reforms to the board came as part of a sales tax increase approved by the General Assembly to provide additional operating funds for Metra, Pace and the Chicago Transit Authority.

Under the changes, Kane, Lake, McHenry and Will counties will each get a representative instead of just two serving the entire four-county region. In addition, suburban Cook County will gain two extra members.