In the News
WBEZ, Chicago Public Radio, July 28, 2010
An Illinois state legislative committee will hold hearings into Metra finances and operations on Wednesday.
State Sen. Susan Garrett, D-Highwood, is calling for the agency to hire an independent inspector general immediately.
That's after months of news about financial improprieties at Metra. And its former leader committed suicide after it was revealed he improperly took money from the transit agency.
Garrett says she's been looking into Metra finances over the last two to three months. And she's not happy with what she's discovered.
GARRETT: I think as we looked at the federal lobbying consulting contract we saw very egregious spending that the board had no idea was going on, and that in itself is extremely troubling.
Garrett says she's not sure if it's been sloppy bookkeeping or if the board has just been looking the other way on important issues.
A spokeswoman for Metra didn't respond to a request for comment.
To hear the audio clip CLICK HERE