Lemont Mayor Seeks Seat on Metra Board of Directors

Lemont Mayor Brian Reaves is seeking a seat on the controversy-plagued Metra Board of Directors.

Reaves and about 20 other candidates went before the Cook County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday seeking to replace former Metra Chairman Brad O'Halloran and outgoing director William Widmer.

On Wednesday, Cook County commissioners representing north west suburban townships appointed retired CTA executive John Plante to replace Widmer, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Reaves has applied to be the director of south suburban District 3, which comprises the townships of Proviso, Riverside, Berwyn, Cicero, Lyons, Stickney, Lemont, Palos and Orland. That position will likely be filled in the next two weeks, Reaves said.

"I was asked to consider interviewing for the seat, and I believe my experience as mayor of Lemont has given me a great deal of experience dealing with transportation issues."

Lemont is one of six communities on Metra's Heritage Corridor Line, which runs from Joliet to Chicago. Reaves has long advocated for increased service on the line, as well as the creation of a "quiet zone" to improve safety and reduce disturbances.

"I think it would be great for Lemont to have a stronger presence with Metra, but more than anything I thin it's important to have people on the board that understand transportation, which I do," Reaves said. "We need to make a good commuter railway great again."

If chosen as a director, Reaves would forgo his salary as mayor but would continue serving the position. Metra directors receive an annual salary of $15,000, according to Cook County website.

Six of Metra's board members have resigned since June, when the board became embroiled in a payout scandal involving former CEO Alex Clifford. After receiving an $871,000 severance package, Clifford accused board directors of political patronage and misconduct.