title
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
A PROPOSED RESOLUTION URGING THE ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
TO CREATE STRICTER CRITERIA FOR WHO CAN SERVE
AS A METRA BOARD DIRECTOR
Submitting a Proposed Resolution sponsored by
JEFFREY R. TOBOLSKI, County Commissioner
PROPOSED RESOLUTION
A PROPOSED RESOLUTION URGING THE ILLINOIS GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO CREATE STRICTER CRITERIA FOR WHO CAN SERVE
AS A METRA BOARD DIRECTOR
WHEREAS, the Metropolitan Rail Board (METRA) is responsible for overseeing a $713 million budget and operating one of the largest metropolitan rail systems in the country; and
WHEREAS, recent scandals involving Alex Clifford's separation agreement have rocked the METRA Board and caused the resignation of the METRA Board Chairman and several Directors; and
WHEREAS, the METRA Board of Directors have a fiduciary duty to our taxpayers to ensure that the fiscal and operational health of METRA is sustainable; and
WHEREAS, public confidence in the METRA Board of Directors is at an all-time low and therefore more accountability measures need to be instituted; and
WHEREAS, 70 ILCS 3615/ 3.01 vests authority in the suburban members of the Cook County Board and the Cook County Board President to appoint five Directors to the METRA Board; and
WHEREAS, the only criteria that 70 ILCS 3615/ 3.01 sets forth for the appointment of a Director is that they reside in suburban Cook County; and
WHEREAS, proper management and oversight by the METRA Board demands basic requirements from an appointed Director; and
WHEREAS, chief among these requirements should be a threshold age limit, educational level, and professional background.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners urges the Illinois General Assembly to codify basic requirements in order for an appointment to serve as Metra Board Director.
*Referred to the Legislation and Intergovernmental Relations Committee on 09/11/12.
end