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* But if you listen to Metra, no reforms are needed. Marni Pyke at the Daily Herald…
Facing troubling allegations including misconduct, racism, promiscuity and cronyism at the Metra Police Department, leaders authorized an investigation that ended up costing about $1.57 million.
But the agency has stayed silent about what a small army of attorneys uncovered after spending months scrutinizing the department, which underwent major reforms a decade ago. […]
The alleged breaches include: discrimination against minorities; harassment of female officers; racist, sexist and homophobic slurs at work; officers dating their bosses and receiving perks; and a “silo” structure that fed miscommunication. About 30 examples were cited, including the following: […]
• “Officers only conducting arrests and traffic stops toward Hispanics because they ‘might not be legal.’”
• A sergeant harassing new female officers, and calling one frequently at night while she was off-duty.
• A white officer with multiple squad crashes was never reprimanded while a Black officer whose car was scratched was “written up.”[…]. Between February and September, 2023, about 25 people — two partners, multiple attorneys, paralegals and nine outsourced lawyers — spent more than 2,500 hours on the probe, records show. In June, nearly 600 hours were expended by 20 individuals with the monthly bill totaling $264,468.
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Dec 16, 24 @ 8:31 am
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“unfortunately, Metra is not able to provide a copy of the work done by McGuire Woods because it contains privileged communications and attorney work product.”
On top of the rest Metra thinks you’re dumber than the politically connected goofs who get jobs at Metra. McGuire Woods doesn’t have a privilege to assert here. Metra paid for the work product, the law firm produced it to Metra, Metra now owns it, and Metra can release it whenever Metra wants to stop lying to the public about how it spends/wastes public money.
Comment by Larry Bowa Jr. Monday, Dec 16, 24 @ 8:40 am
Blue ribbon committee.
I have worked at several government agencies, the waste at Metra puts tgem all to shame.
10 employees making more than $226K. Wickes warehouse is bought for &7M but then it is discovered that the building needs a $5M roof. Metra pays a Project Management office &30M/annually to oversee its capital projects. That’s right, $30 million. The worst. Let the legislature start digging in.
Comment by James the Intolerant Monday, Dec 16, 24 @ 8:45 am
And their trains are frequently delayed due to “switching failures”. Not reliable at all, especially since if one train on our line has an issue, the next train isn’t scheduled for at least a half hour.
Comment by 0.0 Monday, Dec 16, 24 @ 10:10 am
back to your spot on headline, break up these transit fiefdoms, please. what oh what is the argument IN FAVOR of keeping them separate? if we are trying to make it easier to travel on public transportation, start with the agencies involved in them. In the word/s of U2, One.
Comment by Amalia Monday, Dec 16, 24 @ 10:25 am
Just dont make the Metra gross like CTA trains
Comment by hmmm Monday, Dec 16, 24 @ 10:36 am
“Metra pays a Project Management office &30M/annually to oversee its capital projects.”
This isn’t unique, at least in the context of NE IL transit. CTA has a similar arrangement with a project management firm. My understanding is that it’s done this way because capital project-centric funding streams won’t cover project management costs, so by having an outside firm do the work, it can be covered by Operating subsidies. (Still not a great situation and would be nice to see the problem fixed in upcoming legislation)
Comment by Scooter Monday, Dec 16, 24 @ 10:53 am
Maybe it’s just me, but it seems the work of the transit boards gets less scrutiny from the media than it use to. Of course, they’re not the only government bodies getting a pass. The death of local weeklies and cuts to bigger media outlets means village and county boards no longer have beat reporters covering them. That’s a real problem from a transparency standpoint and an indirect argument for consolidation. It’s easier for the press to cover one transit board rather than four.
Comment by TNR Monday, Dec 16, 24 @ 10:57 am
“what oh what is the argument IN FAVOR of keeping them separate?”
Many Metra riders fear being treated with the utter contempt that they feel for CTA riders.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Monday, Dec 16, 24 @ 11:35 am
I ride Metra every day. I feel more respect from Citibank or Chase staff when I call them than I do from Metra.
They are never accountable, it is never their fault, and they can screw around with your life at their will.
Get on at the busiest stop - no express service outside of their blocks. When your electeds complain - we know better.
Train’s late - positive train control. What is positive train control? Well unless you ask, you won’t know.
And don’t start me on the “leaf” delays in the fall.
Arrogant, self serving and rude.
I hope Rep. Canty’s bill goes forward.
Comment by Rahm's Parking Meter Monday, Dec 16, 24 @ 11:55 am
Rahm’s Parking Meter:
As a Metra employee - let me add. The leaf problems are due to Positive Train Control.
I agree that Metra doesn’t take any of it seriously however.
Train111
Comment by train111 Monday, Dec 16, 24 @ 12:29 pm
The RTA has been around for 50 years. Wasn’t it supposed to coordinate Metra, Pace and CTA?
Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Monday, Dec 16, 24 @ 12:39 pm
Is there really any benefit to one agency?
Buses (Pace) run differently than CTA buses (just the geography alone is a difference). Mass transit trains (CTA) are not the same as Commuter rail (Metra).
Could communication be better? How about one type of fare media (and not just an app)?
Comment by Jerry Monday, Dec 16, 24 @ 12:56 pm
Is this why among other reasons Springfield wants to create yet another transit oversight agency?
Comment by Levois Monday, Dec 16, 24 @ 12:58 pm
===wants to create yet another transit oversight agency===
That’s not in the mix.
Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Dec 16, 24 @ 1:12 pm
Why are the downstate transit boards not included in the conversation of consolidation?
They have a cliff and are asking for more money-I guess those peeps do not matter to the GA
Comment by Downstater Monday, Dec 16, 24 @ 1:13 pm
I was in NYC last weekend and you just use your credit card, Apple pay, etc. No special fare media. I am sure it costs to process but just build it into the fare cost.
Comment by James the Intolerant Monday, Dec 16, 24 @ 2:46 pm
Downstater:
The downstate transit boards are lobbied-for by the Illinois Public Transportation Association (IPTA), to which they all pay dues. IPTA also receives a subsidy from IDOT, via a pass-through funding arrangement wherein the state funds the downstate transit agency (usually Rides Mass Transit District) and the agency funds IPTA.
The curious indirect subsidy from IDOT aside - as long as IPTA is a dues-collecting organization, it will lobby for increased funding, but will push against consolidation, because if downstate agencies are consolidated, there will be fewer dues to collect.
Comment by Scooter Monday, Dec 16, 24 @ 2:47 pm
Exhibit a of the totally bloated costs associated with IL government in the Cook County region. They should dissolve it all - including the $200 K salaries - and start over.
Comment by This Monday, Dec 16, 24 @ 3:37 pm
scooter
I agree with everything you said- BUT you loose me- when you say one region should be treated differently.
Maybe it has something to do with Toni Preckwinkle-she is not interested in controlling down state transit, just the region that is up north
Comment by Downstater Monday, Dec 16, 24 @ 3:42 pm