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RTA chairman wants Quinn to withdraw Zuccarelli name

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* RTA Chairman John Gates piled on against Frank Zuccarelli’s CTA appointment late yesterday in a letter to Gov. Pat Quinn…

Gates said Zuccarelli’s dual roles on the CTA board while serving as Thornton Township supervisor violate “the intent of Section 19” of the Metropolitan Transit Authority Act.

Zuccarelli makes more than $100,000 a year in his role as Thornton Township Supervisor, according to a report by the Better Government Association.

Gates urged Quinn to withdraw Zucarrelli’s nomination.

The full letter is here. Make sure to read it.

* The governor’s office is refusing to back down…

Quinn’s office responded Tuesday night, saying that the state law in question wouldn’t prevent Zuccarelli from serving in both positions.

Zuccarelli has no transportation background, but his appointment could help Quinn. Thornton Township has a long history of turning out Democratic votes in Cook County.

Zuccarelli was appointed in early June. The political benefit at the time was obvious. He is a campaign powerhouse with thousands of African-American votes and Quinn desperately needed his support if Lisa Madigan decided to run.

So, Zucc got the nod.

And now… Oops.

The problem here is that Quinn loves to cover himself with a reformer’s coat. But when it comes to patronage, that coat covers something quite different. We’ve discussed this before.

…Adding… Best comment so far…

The idea that Gates — who put Madigan’s son in law on his payroll — would lecture anybody about “transparency” and “integrity” is the joke of the day.

Heh.

True.

* Meanwhile…

Kane County’s representative on the Regional Transportation Authority is stepping down amid concerns he can’t legally serve both on the transit agency and a state commission.

Nabi Fakroddin sits on the RTA board and the Illinois Human Rights Commission.
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RTA Chairman John S. Gates Jr. wrote Gov. Pat Quinn Thursday saying that an internal review turned up the dual roles. “It is my belief that according to the law, it may not be permissible for (Fakroddin) to continue to serve on the RTA and Mr. Fakroddin agreed,” Gates wrote.

Quinn appoints members of the human rights commission.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 7, 13 @ 9:41 am

Comments

Quinn always believes that he is right and everybody else is wrong. He has never been able to judge his actions in relationship to his rhetoric.

For those who truly believe in reform he has become a very tragic figure and his act has grown very stale.

Comment by Cassiopeia Wednesday, Aug 7, 13 @ 9:59 am
Maybe it’s the Chicago Dem in me, but I have never seen “reformer” and “totally anti-patronage” as synonymous. If you ditch patronage altogether, then you have to do the bidding of the guys with the big bucks who you need to fund your campaign, or be one of the handful of liberals who inherited their grandmother’s multi millions.

But it’s complicated granted and there are patronage lines you can’t cross. If Zuc has no qualifications for the political job he received, that’s always a clear red flag.

Comment by ZC Wednesday, Aug 7, 13 @ 10:00 am
The idea that Gates — who put Madigan’s son in law on his payroll — would lecture anybody about “transparency” and “integrity” is the joke of the day.

Comment by VomKlutzenplatz Wednesday, Aug 7, 13 @ 10:07 am
Bruce Rauner is a hypocrite for criticizing Quinn - even though Quinn deserves the criticism. There are direct parallels between this appointment and the sweetheart deal Rauner’s firm did that included someone with no experience in Private Equity business, Rahm Emanuel. Rahm made his fortune on that one deal. Of course, that was just a coincidence, like the contributions to Rendell et al. If you want to know what Rauner would be like as Governor - look no further than Quinn, another “squeaky clean” (squeezy, squeeky)personality who isn’t afraid to take on his own party & the powers that be. How has that worked out??
A campaign debate between Rauner and Quinn would be a battle of wits between 2 unarmed opponents.

Comment by Voice of Reason Wednesday, Aug 7, 13 @ 10:12 am
I saw that show - “Patrick and the Amazing Technicolor Reformer Coat”. It was at the Shubert Theater, I think.

Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Aug 7, 13 @ 10:33 am
I have no idea whether Zuccarelli could be helpful, impartial or effective in this role. I’ve seen the facts surrounding his serving as a Twp. Supervisor. I’m not sure if that makes him prejudicial or not. The fact he works to turn out votes (unfortunately for the opposite party as mine) doesn’t automatically disqualify him in my eyes. I haven’t heard anyone call him a “bad” guy. Someone on here know him who could testify to his character? Rich?

Comment by A guy... Wednesday, Aug 7, 13 @ 10:47 am
Zuccarelli needs to go.

His appointment violates the spirit, if not the letter, of the law.

And it sends a very poor message to the public concerning an organization that desperately needs to be cleaned up.

This is how you “reform” an organization in crisis, Governor Quinn?

Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Aug 7, 13 @ 10:51 am
Everyone says this Guy has “no transportation background” but hey I bet as he drives around the Southland in his taxpayer funded Denali he often sees a CTA train.

Which reminds me of Tony Mayville at DNR, who just happens to be the Washington County Democratic Chairman, that his qualification was that he “gets along with people.”

My dog gets along with people too.

Comment by Sir Reel Wednesday, Aug 7, 13 @ 10:52 am
If I were John Gates, I’d be treading lightly. The most newsworthy item from the Metra scandal was the Speaker trying to clout a precinct captain a raise. That’s nothing in comparison to hiring the Speaker’s son-in-law.

And Bill Daley has already, rightfully, put a target on the RTA. The RTA is totally antiquated and a real waste of taxpayer money. City and suburban members will soon wise up and realize that by eliminating the RTA there will be more money for CTA and Metra. Then bye bye RTA.

I doubt that it will exist 5 years from now. Angering the Governor may just accelerate that process.

Comment by Rahm'sMiddleFinger Wednesday, Aug 7, 13 @ 11:03 am
Can someone explain the rationale why a local elected official cannot serve on the CTA board? I’m not advocating one way or the other, but I’ve yet to hear the rationale for this limitation.

Comment by Just Observing Wednesday, Aug 7, 13 @ 11:04 am
I think most have been unaware of the dual-service prohibitions. I’m not defending ignorance of the law, but it has been common practice to appoint municipal officials to the transit boars.

For example former Arlington Heights Mayor Arlene Mulder was on the Metra Board for many years.

Comment by siriusly Wednesday, Aug 7, 13 @ 11:37 am
boards

Comment by siriusly Wednesday, Aug 7, 13 @ 11:37 am
==Zuccarelli needs to go.==

Maybe he should do Pat (I never do anything wrong) Quinn a favor and take himself out. This isn’t going away quietly.

Comment by Wensicia Wednesday, Aug 7, 13 @ 11:44 am
Anyone remember that it was Quinn’s idea to have the Governor appoint the RTA Chairman, and within days of that bill suddenly dying in the House the Speaker’s son-in-law had a sweet job at the RTA? And I’m sure the normal hiring process was followed in making that personnel decision.

Countdown to the Governor’s blue ribbon panel suggesting that the Governor appoint the RTA Chairman in 3…2…1…

Comment by Just Me Wednesday, Aug 7, 13 @ 12:15 pm
Actually, Siriusly, I’m kind of enjoying the vision of transit boars.

Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Aug 7, 13 @ 12:19 pm
a political patronage job went to /gasp a politcial patronage person….

“You can’t hold a whole [government] responsible for the behavior of a few, sick twisted individuals. For if you do, then shouldn’t we blame the whole [patronage] system? And if the whole [patronage] system is guilty, then isn’t this an indictment of our [political] institutions in general? I put it to you, [Rich] - isn’t this an indictment of our entire American society? Well, you can do whatever you want to us, but we’re not going to sit here and listen to you badmouth the United States of America. Gentlemen!”

Comment by Ghost Wednesday, Aug 7, 13 @ 12:21 pm
===Actually, Siriusly, I’m kind of enjoying the vision of transit boars.===

Yeah, I thought it was a reference to Bill Beavers.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Aug 7, 13 @ 3:25 pm
Ghost, lol.
I strongly believe that film should be added to the shortlist of “Must See to Understand Illinois Politics.”
“Did we take liberties with (statutes)? Yes, we did.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Aug 7, 13 @ 4:42 pm
AA, I think “Animal House” works.

Dean Quinn: “There’s a little known codicil in the Illinois constitution which gives the governor unlimited power to preserve order in times of emergency. Find me a way to suspend the General Assembly’s pay. Put Lavin on it — he’s a sneaky little….”

Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Aug 7, 13 @ 6:36 pm
word, excellent!

“Seven years of (pension talks) down the drain.”

Comment by Arthur Andersen Wednesday, Aug 7, 13 @ 7:55 pm