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Race for O’Halloran’s Metra spot is on

Cook County commissioners will size up applicants for the Metra board position vacated by former Chairman Brad O’Halloran in an open meeting Oct. 1.

O’Halloran departed under a cloud this summer amid allegations of misconduct by ex-CEO Alex Clifford, who prompted two state inspectors general to investigate his claims of political patronage and cronyism at Metra. O’Halloran has blamed Clifford for mismanagement and denied any wrongdoing.

Despite the bad vibes surrounding the agency, Commissioners Liz Doody Gorman and Jeff Tobolski were confident interested candidates would step up. So far, a number of qualified people have submitted resumes, Gorman said in a statement.

Potential Metra directors, who earn a stipend of $15,000 annually, will be interviewed by the seven Cook County commissioners who have say over the position at a public session starting 1:30 p.m. Oct. 1 at 118 N. Clark St., Chicago. Candidates each will have three minutes to make their case.

To qualify for the position, candidates must live in Berwyn, Cicero, Lemont, Lyons, Orland, Palos, Proviso or Stickney townships. The term will end in June 2015.

The final decision will be made by a weighted vote as follows: Tobolski has 40 percent; Gorman has 36 percent; Commissioner Earlean Collins has 12 percent; and the remainder is meted out to Commissioners Joan Patricia Murphy, John Daley, Jesus Garcia and Peter Silvestri.

A similar process will be held for the seat being vacated by Metra Director Arlene Mulder in June.

To learn more, contact Tobolski’s office at 312-603-4735 or by email at kevin.fanning@cookcountyil.govpeg@lizgorman.com;mailto:peg@lizgorman.com[/URL].

Mulder to exit Metra board in June 2014

Jeff Tobolski
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