Suburban Republicans, Led by Mike Tryon, Seek Re-Instatement of Mass Transit Committee

The following letter was sent to House Speaker Mike Madigan after he abolished the Mass Transit Committee.  It was signed by last year’s Republican Spokesman, Mike Tryon, plus members Patti Bellock, Mike Fortner, David Harris, Jeanne Ives, Ron Sandack, Ed Sullivan and Barbara Wheeler.

As minority party members of the 98th General Assembly’s House Mass Transit Committee, we would like to formally express out disappointment in your decision to discontinue with the committee in the 99th General Assembly.

Metra train

Metra train in snow.

Last year our committee accomplished a great deal with regard to improving transparency, accountability and ethical behavior for those who serve on the Regional Transportation Authority and its service boards. At the conclusion of our 98th General Assembly efforts, committee members from both parties agreed that while our reforms represented a valiant first step, a lot more work remained to be done.As you know, our RTA region ranks as the third largest transit system in the country with more than two million rides per weekday provided to Illinoisans living in the Authority’s six-county region. The aging system creates performance and safety challenges that legislators must address. In this new General Assembly, lawmakers will also be asked to address the significant capital needs of our mass transit system and requests for expanded and redesigned service.

For these reasons, we are further requesting that you please reconsider your decision to discontinue with this important committee and add a House Mass Transit Committee to the list of committees that will meet during the 99th General Assembly.


Comments

Suburban Republicans, Led by Mike Tryon, Seek Re-Instatement of Mass Transit Committee — 7 Comments

  1. I guess you can kiss goodbye to any chance of increasing service in the collar counties.

    I wonder when we’ll see a similar letter from Jack Franks.

  2. Hopefully soon.

    Wouldn’t you rather have the mass transit committee run by the General Assembly and not the RTA, which, historically has been a Republican patronage machine and largely corrupt.

  3. That’s not Rauner, that’s Madigan.

    METRA is the red-headed stepchild of the RTA, and this is just another beating.

  4. The following are Metra employees from years 2010 – 2013 with at least one year pay $100,000 or greater, with last names beginning with the letters S – Z, sorted by 2013 salary from highest to lowest.

    Year – Full Name – Position Title – Annual Wages

    2010 – Philip A Pagano – Executive Director – $1,128,665

    2013 – Alex Z Wiggins – Dep Exec Dir Administration – $185,487
    2012 – Alex Z Wiggins – Dep Exec Dir Administration – $137,744

    2010 – William Tupper – Aed/Dep Exec Dir Operations – $177,375

    2011 – Gail Washington – Sr Corp Dir; Human Resources – $156,389
    2010 – Gail Washington – Sr Corp Dir; Human Resources – $156,389

    2010 – Richard L Soukup – Chief Mechanical Officer – $141,825

    2013 – Peter Zwolfer – Acting Dep Exec Dir Operations – $131,742
    2012 – Peter Zwolfer – Acting Chief Transp Officer —- $113,679
    2011 – Peter Zwolfer – Sr Dir; Sub Ops Cus ———— $112,885
    2010 – Peter Zwolfer – Sr Dir; Sub Ops Cus ———— $112,480

    2013 – Arun K Saxena – Controller ———- $129,123
    2012 – Arun K Saxena – Controller ———- $105,204
    2011 – Arun K Saxena – Acting Controller — $092,670
    2010 – Arun K Saxena – Director; Fin Acctg – $090,670

    2011 – Robert C Schuster – Sr Dir; Eng Maintenance – $126,702
    2010 – Robert C Schuster – Sr Dir; Eng Maintenance – $126,673

    2013 – Thaddas L Warner – Trainman – $125,898
    2012 – Thaddas L Warner – Trainman – $121,374
    2011 – Thaddas L Warner – Trainman – $122,051
    2010 – Thaddas L Warner – Trainman – $113,723

    2013 – Brenda H Smith – Acting Sr Corp Dir; HR – $125,621
    2012 – Brenda H Smith – Acting Sr Corp Dir; HR – $111,809
    2011 – Brenda H Smith – Sr Dir; Hr Admin/IT —- $111,346
    2010 – Brenda H Smith – Sr Dir; Hr Admin/IT —- $111,346

    2013 – Esposito Thomas – Trainman/Conductor – $125,058
    2012 – Esposito Thomas – Trainman/Conductor – $111,884
    2011 – Esposito Thomas – Trainman/Conductor – $113,429
    2010 – Esposito Thomas – Trainman/Conductor – $109,640

    2013 – William E Wiabel Jr – Signal Elec Technician – $123,336
    2012 – William E Wiabel Jr – Signal Elec Technician – $100,808
    2011 – William E Wiabel Jr – Signal Elec Technician – $085,545
    2010 – William E Wiabel Jr – Signal Elec Technician – $108,275

    2013 – Thomas H Stone – Signal Maintainer – $121,909
    2012 – Thomas H Stone – Signal Maintainer – $120,529
    2011 – Thomas H Stone – Signal Maintainer – $109,899
    2010 – Thomas H Stone – Signal Maintainer – $086,658

    2013 – Howard R Toliver – Police Officer – $121,888
    2012 – Howard R Toliver – Police Officer – $131,772
    2011 – Howard R Toliver – Police Officer – $118,943
    2010 – Howard R Toliver – Police Officer – $096,393

    2013 – Manuel P Sedano – Engineer – $119,162
    2012 – Manuel P Sedano – Engineer – $114,346
    2011 – Manuel P Sedano – Engineer – $107,899
    2010 – Manuel P Sedano – Engineer – $093,945

    2013 – James W Sanford – Chief Of Police – $119,595
    2012 – James W Sanford – Chief Of Police – $100,774
    2011 – James W Sanford – Chief Of Police – $100,774
    2010 – James W Sanford – Chief Of Police – $100,774

    2013 – Cleveland Whalum Jr – Engineer – $118,991
    2012 – Cleveland Whalum Jr – Engineer – $116,273
    2011 – Cleveland Whalum Jr – Engineer – $090,797
    2010 – Cleveland Whalum Jr – Engineer – $084,465

    2013 – Michael Trawinski – Engineer – $117,934
    2012 – Michael Trawinski – Engineer – $117,031
    2011 – Michael Trawinski – Engineer – $110,182
    2010 – Michael Trawinski – Engineer – $102,036

    2013 – Samuel E Smith – Legislative Affairs Officer – $117,633
    2012 – Samuel E Smith – Legislative Affairs Officer – $112,928
    2011 – Samuel E Smith – Legislative Affairs Officer – $034,940

    2012 – John M Wu – Engineer – $117,491
    2011 – John M Wu – Engineer – $115,682
    2010 – John M Wu – Engineer – $111,618

    2010 – Raymond J Scarbrough Jr – Engineer – $117,152

    2013 – Richard M Wu – Engineer – $116,183
    2012 – Richard M Wu – Engineer – $115,131
    2011 – Richard M Wu – Engineer – $115,335
    2010 – Richard M Wu – Engineer – $108,340

    2010 – Martin K Volant – Engineer – $115,812

    2013 – Mark A Westenberg – Trainman/Conductor – $112,178
    2012 – Mark A Westenberg – Trainman/Conductor – $117,513
    2011 – Mark A Westenberg – Trainman/Conductor – $098,777
    2010 – Mark A Westenberg – Trainman/Conductor – $093,640

    2013 – Janice R Thomas – Sr Dir; Business Div/Civ Rght – $111,701
    2012 – Janice R Thomas – Director; Dbe —————– $090,156
    2011 – Janice R Thomas – Director; Dbe —————– $090,156
    2010 – Janice R Thomas – Director; Dbe —————– $004,788

    2013 – Randi L Sutton – Engineer – $111,442
    2012 – Randi L Sutton – Engineer – $107,574

    2013 – Robert D Tellin – Engineer – $111,142
    2012 – Robert D Tellin – Engineer – $106,043
    2011 – Robert D Tellin – Engineer – $100,032
    2010 – Robert D Tellin – Engineer – $088,227

    2010 – Frederick K Smalarz – Sr Dir; Mat Management – $110,871

    2013 – Anthony L Williams Sr – Engineer ————- $110,720
    2012 – Anthony L Williams Sr – Engineer ————- $101,263
    2011 – Anthony L Williams Sr – Engineer ————- $098,669
    2010 – Anthony L Williams Sr – Engineer ————- $047,031
    2010 – Anthony L Williams Sr – Road Foreman/Engines – $042,306

    2013 – Richard L Smith – Signal Testman – $110,499
    2012 – Richard L Smith – Signal Testman – $103,264
    2011 – Richard L Smith – Signal Testman – $116,577
    2010 – Richard L Smith – Signal Testman – $101,322

    2013 – Shawn Sproles – Sergeant ——- $110,403
    2012 – Shawn Sproles – Sergeant ——- $108,540
    2011 – Shawn Sproles – Sergeant ——- $101,355
    2010 – Shawn Sproles – Police Officer – $083,978

    2013 – Keeneth R Spargo – Signal Testman – $108,293
    2012 – Keeneth R Spargo – Signal Testman – $095,302
    2011 – Keeneth R Spargo – Signal Testman – $106,345
    2010 – Keeneth R Spargo – Signal Testman – $092,064

    2013 – Geoffrey C Urban – Sr Dir; Mat Management – $108,107
    2012 – Geoffrey C Urban – Sr Dir; Mat Management – $080,769

    2013 – Felipe J Salazar – Machine Operator R/1 C/A – $108,225
    2012 – Felipe J Salazar – Track Inspector – $083,675
    2011 – Felipe J Salazar – Track Inspector – $082,778
    2010 – Felipe J Salazar – Track Inspector – $094,843

    2013 – Robert Williams – Director; B&B Constr – $108,022
    2012 – Robert Williams – Director; B&B Constr – $090,670
    2011 – Robert Williams – Director; B&B Constr – $090,670
    2010 – Robert Williams – Director; B&B Constr – $090,670

    2013 – Hersey T Steptoe Jr – Director; Cust Comm – $107,591
    2012 – Hersey T Steptoe Jr – Director; Cust Comm – $103,298
    2011 – Hersey T Steptoe Jr – Director; Cust Comm – $104,497
    2010 – Hersey T Steptoe Jr – Director; Cust Comm – $104,369

    2013 – Greg M Schwieger – Trainman – $107,558
    2012 – Greg M Schwieger – Trainman – $103,777
    2011 – Greg M Schwieger – Trainman – $101,574
    2010 – Greg M Schwieger – Trainman – $092,882

    2013 – Omar Solis – Track Inspector – $107,204
    2012 – Omar Solis – Track Inspector – $100,184
    2011 – Omar Solis – Track Inspector – $097,275
    2010 – Omar Solis – Track Inspector – $088,993

    2013 – Timothy W Tabisz – Engineer – $106,914
    2012 – Timothy W Tabisz – Engineer – $102,899
    2011 – Timothy W Tabisz – Engineer – $103,885
    2010 – Timothy W Tabisz – Engineer – $078,040

    2013 – Michael S Tillmon – Signal Maintainer/Relief/Vac – $106,869
    2011 – Michael S Tillmon – Signal Maintainer/Relief/Vac – $087,735
    2010 – Michael S Tillmon – Signal Maintainer/Relief/Vac – $086,618

    2013 – Mark E Simos – Sr Dir; Mech Cap Projects — $106,378
    2012 – Mark E Simos – Director; Fleet/Quality/It – $093,701
    2011 – Mark E Simos – Director; Milw Dist Mech — $093,701
    2010 – Mark E Simos – Director; Milw Dist Mech — $094,062

    2013 – John V Troiani – Trainman – $106,089
    2012 – John V Troiani – Trainman – $108,111
    2011 – John V Troiani – Trainman – $087,798
    2010 – John V Troiani – Trainman – $078,054

    2013 – Bradley L Williams – Engineer – $105,710
    2012 – Bradley L Williams – Engineer – $102,435
    2011 – Bradley L Williams – Engineer – $100,982
    2010 – Bradley L Williams – Engineer – $092,410

    2013 – Jaime Solano Jr – Engineer – $105,020
    2012 – Jaime Solano Jr – Engineer – $082,301
    2011 – Jaime Solano Jr – Engineer – $088,227
    2010 – Jaime Solano Jr – Engineer – $085,635

    2013 – Frank Zeimetz Jr – Trainman/Conductor – $104,879
    2012 – Frank Zeimetz Jr – Trainman/Conductor – $099,065
    2011 – Frank Zeimetz Jr – Trainman/Conductor – $102,259
    2010 – Frank Zeimetz Jr – Trainman/Conductor – $098,171

    2013 – Casimir C Ziolkowski – Trainman – $104,851
    2012 – Casimir C Ziolkowski – Trainman – $100,151
    2011 – Casimir C Ziolkowski – Trainman – $097,409
    2010 – Casimir C Ziolkowski – Trainman – $093,577

    2010 – Robert W Sorensen – Signal Testman – $104,448

    2013 – John M Strykowski – Sergeant – $102,103
    2012 – John M Strykowski – Sergeant – $082,238
    2011 – John M Strykowski – Sergeant – $091,613
    2010 – John M Strykowski – Sergeant – $087,895

    2013 – Brooks Chance Warren – Trainman/Conductor – $101,015
    2012 – Brooks Chance Warren – Trainman/Conductor – $099,835
    2011 – Brooks Chance Warren – Trainman/Conductor – $099,175
    2010 – Brooks Chance Warren – Trainman/Conductor – $101,889

    2012 – Wes P Szerla – Director; Elec Engineering – $100,944
    2011 – Wes P Szerla – Director; Elec Engineering – $100,905
    2010 – Wes P Szerla – Director; Elec Engineering – $100,905

    2013 – John R Severs Jr – Trainman/Conductor – $100,488
    2012 – John R Severs Jr – Trainman/Conductor – $107,439
    2011 – John R Severs Jr – Trainman/Conductor – $103,315
    2010 – John R Severs Jr – Trainman/Conductor – $101,610

    2013 – Curtis L Smith – Police Officer – $100,131
    2012 – Curtis L Smith – Police Officer – $099,362
    2011 – Curtis L Smith – Police Officer – $082,958
    2010 – Curtis L Smith – Police Officer – $079,794

    2013 – Maurice Taylor – Engineer – $099,431
    2012 – Maurice Taylor – Engineer – $108,033
    2011 – Maurice Taylor – Engineer – $095,164
    2010 – Maurice Taylor – Engineer – $094,494

    2013 – Kirk D Scott – Engineer – $098,686
    2013 – Kirk D Scott – Engineer – $100,321
    2013 – Kirk D Scott – Engineer – $098,144
    2013 – Kirk D Scott – Engineer – $093,359

    2012 – Herman Vanderwoude – Lieutenant – $098,828
    2011 – Herman Vanderwoude – Lieutenant – $103,158
    2010 – Herman Vanderwoude – Lieutenant – $096,746

    2013 – Robert A Schlaudraff – Electrician/Ac/Lead – $098,100
    2012 – Robert A Schlaudraff – Electrician/Ac/Lead – $100,967
    2011 – Robert A Schlaudraff – Electrician/Ac/Lead – $100,112
    2010 – Robert A Schlaudraff – Electrician/Ac/Lead – $107,525

    2013 – Patrick S Stamper – Trainman/Conductor – $097,160
    2012 – Patrick S Stamper – Trainman/Conductor – $100,371
    2011 – Patrick S Stamper – Trainman/Conductor – $092,411
    2010 – Patrick S Stamper – Trainman/Conductor – $085,540

    2011 – Steven Wojtkiewicz – Director; Info Systems – $096,479
    2010 – Steven Wojtkiewicz – Director; Info Systems – $105,892

    2013 – Mark A Stuebner – Engineer – $096,170
    2011 – Mark A Stuebner – Engineer – $044,816
    2010 – Mark A Stuebner – Engineer – $101,123

    2013 – Robert J Shanahan – Signal Testman – $090,199
    2012 – Robert J Shanahan – Signal Testman – $104,444
    2011 – Robert J Shanahan – Signal Testman – $092,233
    2010 – Robert J Shanahan – Signal Testman – $099,103

    2013 – Demetrios Vatistas – Trainman – $088,697
    2012 – Demetrios Vatistas – Trainman – $101,791
    2011 – Demetrios Vatistas – Trainman – $099,362
    2010 – Demetrios Vatistas – Trainman – $079,134

    2013 – Sidney Gayle Thompson – Signal Maintainer – $085,336
    2012 – Sidney Gayle Thompson – Signal Maintainer – $091,847
    2011 – Sidney Gayle Thompson – Signal Maintainer – $101,679
    2010 – Sidney Gayle Thompson – Signal Maintainer – $089,255

    2013 – Michael Taylor – Engineer – $082,786
    2012 – Michael Taylor – Engineer – $065,440
    2011 – Michael Taylor – Engineer – $103,613
    2010 – Michael Taylor – Engineer – $096,309

    2013 – Daniel Santiago – Trainmaster – $073,647
    2012 – Daniel Santiago – Engineer —- $108,047
    2011 – Daniel Santiago – Engineer —- $096,078
    2010 – Daniel Santiago – Engineer —- $090,872

  5. The source of the above salaries was Open The Books.com.

    http://www.OpenTheBooks.com > Illinois > Category: Employee Compensation > Employee Status: State/Local Employee Salaries > Area of Government: Metra.

    If you search on Open The Books, be sure to register (free) so your searches don’t vanish when the program prompts you to register while you are exploring the site.

  6. There is currently no House Mass Transit Committee in the 99th General Assembly (2015 – 2016).

    There is an Intermodal Infrastructure Committee, but that would not include mass transit.

    Intermodal deals with cargo (not people), such as taking a container from one transportation source and placing it on another, such as from ocean vessel to truck, or train to truck, etc.

    Intermodal Infrastructure Committee members
    Role ——————– Representative ——— Party
    Chairperson ————- Lawrence M. Walsh, Jr. – D
    Vice-Chairperson ——– Martin J. Moylan ——- D
    Republican Spokesperson – Mike Fortner ———– R
    Member —————— Jaime M. Andrade, Jr. — D
    Member —————— Daniel V. Beiser ——- D
    Member —————— Terri Bryant ———– R
    Member —————— John M. Cabello ——– R
    Member —————— Katherine Cloonen —— D
    Member —————— Jeanne M Ives ———- R
    Member —————— Stephanie A. Kifowit — D
    Member —————— Margo McDermed ——— R
    Member —————— Donald L. Moffitt —— R
    Member —————— Pamela Reaves-Harris — D
    Member —————— Sue Scherer ———— D

    There was also a Transportation: Railroad & Air Subcommittee in the Transportation, Regulation, Roads Committee.

    http://www.ilga.gov/house/committees/default.asp

    +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

    In the 98th General Assembly (2013 – 2014) there was the aforementioned Mass Transit Committee.

    There was also the aforementioned Transportation: Railroad & Air Subcommittee in the Transportation, Regulation, Roads Committee.

    But there was not the aforementioned Intermodal Infrastructure Committee.

    Mass Transit Committee Members
    Role ——————– Representative —– Party
    Chairperson ————- Al Riley —————- D
    Vice-Chairperson ——– Elgie R. Sims, Jr. —— D
    Republican Spokesperson – Michael W. Tryon ——– R
    Member ——————– Jaime M. Andrade, Jr. – D
    Member ——————– Patricia R. Bellock — R
    Member ——————– Maria Antonia Berrios – D
    Member ——————– Daniel J. Burke ——- D
    Member ——————– Fred Crespo ———– D
    Member ——————– William Davis ——— D
    Member ——————– Anthony DeLuca ——– D
    Member ——————– Mike Fortner ———- R
    Member ——————– Robyn Gabel ———– D
    Member ——————– David Harris ———- R
    Member ——————– Jay Hoffman ———– D
    Member ——————– Jeanne M Ives ——— R
    Member ——————– Dennis M. Reboletti — R
    Member ——————– Robert Rita ———– D
    Member ——————– Ron Sandack ———– R
    Member ——————– Ed Sullivan, Jr. —— R
    Member ——————– André M. Thapedi —— D
    Member ——————– Barbara Wheeler ——- R
    Member ——————– Ann Williams ———- D

    http://www.ilga.gov/house/committees/members.asp?CommitteeID=1225&GA=98

    http://www.ilga.gov > Previous General Assemblies > Please select a General Assembly: 98 (2013-2014) > Go > House Committees Listing

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