Kane seeks applicants for Metra board by March 19

GENEVA – Applications from Kane County residents interested in the Kane County appointment to the region’s Commuter Rail Service Board, or Metra Board of Directors, will be accepted at the Kane County Board Office through March 19, officials announced in a news release.

A formal vetting process by a special interview panel is scheduled to begin the week of March 22 and a recommendation presented to the full County Board is scheduled for April 13.

Under statutory changes made by the Illinois General Assembly in 1983, the Metra Board was charged with a broad range of responsibilities related to fare and service levels, budgeting, capital programming, long-range planning and strategic service expansion, the release stated.

Metra is one of the largest and one of the most complex commuter rail systems in the nation, with a 2021 operating budget of $700 million and a total 2021 capital program of $386.8 million.

Kane County Board Chairman Corinne Pierog is empowered by state statute to make the Kane County appointment with the advice and consent of the County Board and will convene an interview panel that will include members from the County Board and county staff to vet and recommend a candidate, the release stated.

Applicants must be a Kane County resident to qualify for consideration.

According to state law, Metra board members may not be an officer, a member of the board of directors or trustees or an employee of any transit service board – such as Metra, Pace or CTA – or transportation agency, or be an employee of the state of Illinois, or of any unit of local government or receive any compensation from any elected or appointed office.

A Transportation Agency is defined as any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, association, body politic, municipal corporation, public authority, unit of local government, or other person, which provides public transportation, the release stated.

The Metra Board position pays $15,000 annually prorated, and does not include health or pension benefits.

Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter to the County Board Office outlining their qualifications and explaining their interest in the position.

The interview panel will take into account experience that is relative or applicable to a public transit board, availability to serve, and a convincing demonstration of why candidates consider themselves qualified.

The County Board will make the list of applicants and finalists public.

Applications can be submitted in person, by mail, Kane County Government Center, 719 Batavia Ave., Building A., County Board Office, Third Floor, Geneva, Illinois 60134 or electronically via email to CPierog@kanecoboard.org. For more information, call 630-232-5930