(The following article by Shamus Toomey was posted on the Chicago Sun-Times website on April 7.)
CHICAGO — The rail and bus agencies that serve Chicago’s suburbs could be merged under a massive shakeup that’s raising fears that some commuter services could be downgraded or cut.
The Illinois Department of Transportation began circulating a series of proposals Tuesday, including having the commuter rail agency, Metra, absorb Pace, the suburban bus agency. Metra long has been hailed as one of the nation’s best rail systems while Pace has been painted as the underperforming stepchild of the region’s transportation network. Both agencies are subsidized by federal and state tax dollars.
Under the plan, Metra’s board would be expanded from seven to 16 members, with Gov. Blagojevich getting far more power. He currently has no ability to appoint Metra members, but would get six appointments under the proposal.
The plan would also expand the Chicago Transit Authority board from seven to 13 members, although Mayor Daley would still have one more appointee than the governor.
IDOT spokeswoman Kim Morreale said the proposals are ideas floated by a wide range of experts over the past several months, not just IDOT. Any changes would need General Assembly approval.
The ideas come on the heels of a concept floated last week to give the governor more control of the Regional Transportation Authority, which oversees the CTA, Metra and Pace.
Suburban officials worry the changes could centralize power in Chicago, and leave the suburbs wanting.