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.
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.
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.
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.
I hope all that voted for Rauner are happy that Huntley might not get a train station now.
That’s not Rauner, that’s Madigan.
METRA is the red-headed stepchild of the RTA, and this is just another beating.
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
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.
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
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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