Pihos Co-Sponsors Resolution Calling for Metra Chairman's Resignation

From State Rep. Sandra Pihos' Office

In an effort to restore public trust and transparency within Illinois’ Metra system, State Representative Sandra Pihos (R-Glen Ellyn) is a Chief Co-Sponsor of House Resolution 521, which calls for the immediate resignation of current Metra Board Chairman Brad O’Halloran.

HR521 was filed in Springfield on July 19, and calls on the Chairman of the Metra Board of Directors to resign his position. The resolution also calls upon the Board to elect a new Chairman.

“The taxpayers of Illinois, along with fare payers on the Metra system, provide hundreds of millions in funding for the operation of Metra, and they have a right to a reasonable expectation that those dollars are being used in a responsible, efficient and transparent manner,” Pihos said. “There is a high ethical standard that needs to be upheld within the Metra system, and I believe it is time for a change in the board’s leadership.”

The most recent of a series of negative allegations against Metra involves a lengthy memo written by former CEO Alex Clifford, who said he was ousted because he would not cave into pressures by some legislators to make politically-motivated hiring and contract decisions.

“Alex Clifford was brought in to clean up Metra, and it appears he tried very hard to do just that,” Pihos said. “Unfortunately, when it became evident that he would not play ball with influential politicians looking to engage in political patronage, he was offered over $700,000 to leave his position and keep quiet. I find it incredibly inappropriate that now the taxpayers of Illinois are being asked to foot the bill for Mr. Clifford’s lucrative separation package.”

The current Metra scandal was brought to light when Clifford’s April 2013 memorandum was made public earlier this month, and when Clifford testified last week before the Regional Transportation Authority Board.

Representative Pihos also co-sponsored House Bill 140, which takes away generous health care and pensions of future political appointees overseeing the Chicago area’s local bus and train service.

Current officeholders will get the benefits until they are reappointed to new terms. The ban on these lucrative perks for the next round of board members at the scandal-plagued Metra and other transit agencies took effect when Governor Quinn signed the legislation on July 23, and it takes effect immediately.  

Future board members of the CTA, PACE and the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) will be affected.  The timing of the signing coincided with ongoing Metra controversy.

“These are political appointees with no specific qualifications,” Pihos said. “They should be serving because they truly want to serve and not because they are receiving state-funded benefits. Doing away with the health care and pensions for these appointees was the right thing to do.”