NEWS

from the Illinois Senate

State Senator Susan Garrett
Majority Caucus Whip, 29th Senate District

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 12, 2010

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Susan Garrett (847) 433-2002

Pressure Mounting for Metra to Support an Independent Inspector General

HIGHWOOD, Illinois – Majority Caucus Whip and State Senator Susan Garrett (D-Lake Forest) announced progress in the pursuit of establishing an independent inspector general at Metra to investigate allegations of fraud, waste and corruption at Metra.

“Metra has openly resisted the need for an outside watchdog, which is sorely needed,” Garrett said. “While Metra is under pressure now to change their style of doing business, they are realizing from the public’s perspective the importance of an independent inspector general. Actions speak louder than words, and Metra's words in many cases, haven’t matched up with their actions.  We can only keep the pressure on them to do the right thing,” Garrett added.

A meeting has been scheduled for September 10th with non-partisan public interest groups, Metra and Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) officials, and legislators to discuss how to move forward in drafting mass transit independent inspector general legislation. Former FBI agent and current independent Inspector General for the Illinois Toll Highway Authority, Jim Wagner, will also be in attendance to offer his unique perspective on the development of the Office of the Inspector General at the Tollway.  This meeting comes after a July 28th Senate State Government and Veterans Affairs Committee Hearing to address accountability and transparency at Metra.

The July 28th hearing revealed widespread agreement that an independent inspector general is needed at Metra.  Metra officials and others acknowledged that lax oversight practices and the lack of an independent watchdog at Metra may have contributed to the former Executive Director, Phil Pagano’s indiscretions.  Where there was disagreement was in the appointing authority for this proposed independent watchdog.

Across the U.S., other transit authorities rely on various appointing authorities to achieve independent oversight.  The Inspector General for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority of New York is appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate and reports directly to the Governor, the legislature and the public.  However, in Miami-Dade County, there is one Inspector General for the County, having oversight of over sixty county departments. The Miami-Dade County Inspector General is appointed by a committee comprised of law enforcement officials, including the State Attorney, Public Defender, Ethics Commission Chairperson, President of the Police Chiefs Association and the Regional Director for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

A recent survey conducted by Senator Garrett’s office, polling district residents, showed overwhelming favoritism towards having a committee comprised of both law enforcement members and non-partisan public interest group members appoint an Inspector General for Metra.

At this September 10th meeting, participants will evaluate different schemes for appointing an independent inspector general to oversee the Metra Commuter Rail. There is no “one-sizes fits all” approach, and what works for other regional transit authorities may not work for Metra, given the unique composition of the Board of Directors. Under the Regional Transportation Authority Act, Metra Board members are appointed by the Chairmen of the County Boards for DuPage, McHenry, Kane, Lake, Will, and Suburban Cook Counties. Each County Board Chairman has the sole authority to appoint a Metra Board representative from that County with the advice and consent of the County Board. This appointment authority is unique from just about every transit authority in the country.