Kane Co. seeks RTA appointee
With the looming retirement of Kane County RTA representative Jan Carlson, the application process is under way.
The job’s $25,000 salary and benefits marks a notable departure from the last time Kane County filled a slot on one of the major transit boards.
A committee of county board members already has rejected endorsing a bill in the state legislature that would have eliminated pay, pension and insurance perks from the part-time transit boards. In doing so, committee members noted board members also are part-time and receive similar compensation.
In contrast, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel appointed one of his transition team members, Sarah Pang, to the RTA board last month. In winning the job, she said she would not accept the salary or any of the benefits. Similarly, the previous Kane County Board made the rejection of pension and insurance benefits a prerequisite to the selection of Mike McCoy receiving the county’s appointment to the Metra board in July 2011. At the time, board members said they wanted to reduce the financial perks of the job to help end the specter of cronyism on the Metra board.
On Tuesday, county board Chairman Chris Lauzen said there will be an “open collection of resumes” for the position. Those resumes will be reviewed by a bipartisan, three-member panel. The panel members have not yet been announced, but they will make a recommendation that Lauzen can approve or reject. The full county board must vote on whatever final candidate comes out of the process. Forty people applied for the Metra position in 2011.
In a written statement, Lauzen described what he is looking for in an RTA board appointee:
“Applicants must have a proven record of excellent administrative, management and budgetary skills. A detailed knowledge of Kane County government policies and a clear record of representing and protecting its interests will be distinct advantages to the applicant and beneficial to the county. It is also imperative that the successful candidate share the Kane County Board chairman’s vision of keeping taxes low, working to improve the lives of Kane County residents, and providing competent administration through innovation in every aspect that touches Kane County, including the Regional Transportation Authority.”
Resumes are due by 12 p.m., March 22. They should be sent by mail to Chris Lauzen at: 719 S. Batavia Ave., Geneva, IL. 60134 or via email to CLauzen@kanecoboard.org.