Transit bill sponsor ok with recycled board appointments

(The Center Square) – Although recent appointees to the new Northern Illinois Transit Authority already hold seats on current transit boards or will also hold seats on other boards, the state lawmaker who drove NITA legislation remains confident that reform will happen.

The Cook County Board of Commissioners approved board president Toni Preckwinkle’s eight NITA appointments on Thursday. Five of the eight will serve on other transit boards in addition to NITA.

The Chicago City Council approved Mayor Brandon Johnson’s five NITA appointees on Wednesday. Four of the five currently sit on the Regional Transit Authority or Chicago Transit Authority boards.

“These appointments bring experienced public servants to our regional public transit boards and reflect our commitment to building a system that is safer, more reliable and much better connected for riders across the entire region,” Johnson said.

Supporters of the $1.5 transit bill passed by the General Assembly last fall and signed by Gov. J.B....