CHICAGO (AP) - Metra, the Chicago commuter rail agency, is adopting a reform measure aimed at ending concerns that political clout and influence trumps qualifications when it comes to hiring.
In a news release, Metra says its board of directors believe the measure will increase transparency in the hiring process by requiring all employee related communications to be entered into a log the public can access.
Metra Chairman Martin Oberman says publicizing the communications should deter any attempt at trying to improperly influence the hiring process. He says it reinforces Metra’s ban on political hiring.
Metra was rocked by allegations made last year by outgoing CEO Alex Clifford that he was pushed out of the job after he resisted interference from politicians demanding patronage jobs.
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