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* An inspector general’s hiring investigation, downgraded university credit ratings, and a possible new challenger emerging. Not a great day for Gov. Pat Quinn.
Oh, and this…
The widening mess that has enveloped the Chicago area’s public transit operators claimed another victim today, with the resignation of embattled Chicago Transit Authority board member Frank Zuccarelli.
In a letter to Gov. Pat Quinn, Mr. Zuccarelli said he’d agreed to be appointed to the board “with a singular purpose in mind — to be a strong advocate for meeting the mass transit needs of the residents of the south suburbs.”
But Mr. Zuccarelli’s decision to continue to bepaid $128,000 a year as the Thornton Township supervisor and to accept the $25,000-a-year CTA post became an immediate lightning rod after Metra and the Regional Transportation Authority officials resigned amid ethical controversies.
State law generally bans such double-dipping, but Mr. Zuccarelli profited from a loophole that exempts township posts.
* More…
Zuccarelli resigned in time to avoid attending Wednesday’s monthly CTA meeting.
Reacting to the resignation, William Daley delivered a blunt, two-sentence reply that, in its brevity, appeared designed not to add to the perception that he was engaging in any “political grandstanding” with his earlier call for Zuccarelli’s departure.
“Frank Zuccarelli had little choice but to do the honorable thing by resigning today,” Daley said. “It’s unfortunate that Gov. Quinn put him in this position in the first place.”
* Quinn’s response…
“I felt he would have brought an important perspective to the CTA Board, which has all too often left this region behind when it came to important transportation access issues. I accept Frank’s decision and will soon announce his replacement.”
…Adding… Commenter 47th Ward probably has this exactly right…
Zuccarelli is no dummy and easily saw the writing on the wall. He isn’t going to fault Quinn for this case of horrible timing. If anything, he’ll be aiming for a bigger plum if Quinn gets re-elected, so there is still plenty of motivation to go all out.
Yep.
* This story has given me a sense of déjà vu. Remember when Rod Blagojevich tried to appoint Sheila Simon to the Illinois Gaming Board back in 2005? Simon said she was surprised at the offer, but also said she wanted the job.
The problem was, Simon sat on the Carbondale city council at the time and state law prohibited a local official from being on the board. So, Blagojevich tried to change the law, but that failed.
In the end, Blagojevich ended up appointing Simon to the Illinois Arts Council.
Simon is no Zuccarelli for many reasons. But this isn’t the first time that a governor has tried to get around a law with an appointment.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Aug 14, 13 @ 9:56 am
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Was that the Quinn campaign bus running over Zuke.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Aug 14, 13 @ 10:02 am
===Quinn defended his appointment of Zucarelli, telling NBC 5 that the important thing is to have the south suburbs covered with a “strong voice on transit.”
When asked about Zucarelli resigning under pressure from Daley, Quinn would not even say his opponent’s name.
“That person you just mentioned has done nothing for the south suburbs,” Quinn said.===
Source: http://www.nbcchicago.com/blogs/ward-room/CTA-Board-Member-Resigns-Amid-Double-Dipping-Allegations-219445981.html#ixzz2bxRZkK68
Comment by Boone's is Back Wednesday, Aug 14, 13 @ 10:29 am
Why do I suspect he will get an appointment that pays something somewhere else in state government.
Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Aug 14, 13 @ 10:40 am
Good point One Man.
Comment by Norseman Wednesday, Aug 14, 13 @ 10:50 am
I think Quinn will still get points from Zuke for sticking with him so long. The heat was just too much.
Comment by wordslinger Wednesday, Aug 14, 13 @ 10:51 am
Zuccarelli is no dummy and easily saw the writing on the wall. He isn’t going to fault Quinn for this case of horrible timing. If anything, he’ll be aiming for a bigger plum if Quinn gets re-elected, so there is still plenty of motivation to go all out.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Aug 14, 13 @ 11:13 am
I’m pretty sure that everything 47th just wrote is exactly right.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Aug 14, 13 @ 11:22 am
This is the time of year when many folks have to lock their car doors when in town to avoid having “zukes” by the dozens put in their back seats. I don’t think those are the same kinds of zukes, tho.
Comment by dupage dan Wednesday, Aug 14, 13 @ 11:38 am
I just think people on the CTA board ought to at minimum live within walking distance of a CTA bus stop or train station.
This is besides the blatant illegality of Zuke being on the board.
Comment by Chavez-respecting Obamist Wednesday, Aug 14, 13 @ 11:56 am
I look forward to Quinn appointing someone who cares about transit, and has some noteworthy transportation or community relations experience.
Hahahaha!
Comment by Just Me Wednesday, Aug 14, 13 @ 11:59 am
===people on the CTA board ought to at minimum live within walking distance of a CTA bus stop or train station.===
The rationale for appointing Zuke was solid, in my opinion. Get somebody on the CTA who will advocate for south suburban service. Zuke, himself, however, became the issue and that led to the problems.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Aug 14, 13 @ 11:59 am
As a daily user of public transit in the city, I don’t see the CTA expanding in to the south suburbs any time soon. We’ll have self-driving cars before the Red Line goes to 130th.
Comment by Chavez-respecting Obamist Wednesday, Aug 14, 13 @ 12:43 pm
Not sure what Daley gained from this. The story is not going to matter to a single voter in March, and now Zuccarelli has even more reason to make sure Quinn buries Daley in the largest township (20,000 likely Democratic primary voters).
Comment by Snucka Wednesday, Aug 14, 13 @ 2:22 pm
How is he supposed to be able to save for retirement now??
Comment by Phenomynous Wednesday, Aug 14, 13 @ 4:02 pm
==The rationale for appointing Zuke was solid, in my opinion. Get somebody on the CTA who will advocate for south suburban service. Zuke, himself, however, became the issue and that led to the problems.==
==As a daily user of public transit in the city, I don’t see the CTA expanding in to the south suburbs any time soon. We’ll have self-driving cars before the Red Line goes to 130th.==
We already do have self-driving cars in a sense. Google has been testing them for a few years now. However, I agree that mass transit in the south and southwest suburbs remains a much lacking opportunity.
Comment by Precinct Captain Wednesday, Aug 14, 13 @ 5:01 pm