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Metral Rail System Under Scrutiny
The Chicago-area commuter rail agency is coming under the scrutiny of state lawmakers.

An internal inspector is investigating 33 allegations of fraud or misconduct at Metra. Now State Sen. Susan Garrett D-Lake Forest) wants to haul the agency before the Senate Committee on State Government, of which she is chairman. She says Metra has been impervious to inquiry.

"Metra for so many years has been operating almost like a private company, and they find it intrusive when someone like myself, a lawmaker, asks questions and asks for information. That's a culture that really has to stop," she said.

The allegations range from excessive overtime to lavish 401(k) contributions to pay in lieu of vacation even when the vacation was used.

Metra is subsidized by taxpayers. The agency operates seven commuter rail lines in the Chicago area, and contracts with private companies for commuter service on four other lines.

The former director, Philip A. Pagano, committed suicide in May by stepping in front of a train just before the board was about to fire him for forging the chairman's signature on a document that allowed him to take $475,000 pay in lieu of vacation.

Garrett has scheduled the first hearing for July 28.

(Illinois Radio Network)
07 19 10 by Newsroom
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