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Four New Members Join The RTA Board |
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Appointees fill new positions created by transit reform legislation
Chicago -- The Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) announced today the appointment of four new members to its Board of Directors: Jan Carlson, Rev. L. Tyrone Crider, Sr., Albert Jourdan and J.D. Ross. Transit reform legislation enacted in January by the Illinois legislature and signed into law by Governor Blagojevich expanded the agency’s board from 13 to 16. These changes became effective April 1, 2008. All four new appointees will serve in five-year terms, and their first scheduled board meeting is April 17 at the RTA.
Jan Carlson – Representing Kane County
Jan Carlson, a former chair of Kane County’s transportation committee, will serve as that county’s newest representative on the RTA Board of Directors. Carlson, an Elburn Republican, resigned his post after 12 years on the Kane County Board to take the new position. Before his tenure on the Board, Carlson served as the county’s circuit clerk for 32 years. He has also served as the chairman of the Kane County Republican Party. Carlson will replace outgoing director Fred Norris, former mayor of St. Charles.
Reverend L. Tyrone Crider, Sr. – Representing Suburban Cook County
The Cook County Board of Commissioners approved Reverend L. Tyrone Crider, Sr., to represent the county on the RTA Board. Rev. Crider serves as the senior pastor at Mount Calvary Baptist Church in Chicago. Prior leadership positions he has held include organizing the New Hope Community Baptist Church of Chicago in 1991, serving as Director of Admissions and Associate Dean of Students at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio and serving as National Executive Director of Operation PUSH, the civil rights advocacy organization founded and headed by the Rev. Jesse Jackson, Sr. Rev. Crider lives in suburban Cook County.
Albert Jourdan – Representing McHenry County
The McHenry County Board selected Albert Jourdan to take the county’s new seat on the RTA’s Board of Directors. Jourdan spent 24 years as McHenry County’s auditor. He is a former chairman of the state and county Republican Party and has been a longtime advocate for the collar counties.
Previously, McHenry County shared two appointments with Kane, Lake and Will Counties.
J. D. Ross – Representing Will County
J.D. Ross will serve Will County citizens as its first representative to sit on the RTA Board. Mr. Ross is currently the executive director of the Will-Grundy Medical Clinic. Before joining the clinic, he was the president of Joliet Junior College until he retired in 2006.
Ross is active in the community as a member and president of the Joliet Area Historical Museum Board, a trustee of the University of St. Francis Board, a director on the Cornerstone Services Board and a board member of the Joliet Provena Saint Joseph Medical Center Foundation.
About the Reform Legislation
Approved in January, House Bill 656 expands the RTA Board from 13 to 16 members. The following is a breakdown of the Board make up and the appointing authorities:
- 5 by Mayor of Chicago (appointee cannot be the Chairman of CTA)
- 4 by suburban members of the Cook County Board
- 1 by the President of the Cook County Board (from Suburban Cook County)
- 1 by the Chairman of the DuPage County Board
- 1 by the Chairman of the Lake County Board
- 1 by the Will County Executive
- 1 by the Chairman of the McHenry County Board
- 1 by the Chairman of Kane County Board
- The Board Chair is appointed by 11 members of the Board with at least 2 votes from Chicago, Suburban Cook and the collar counties.
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