Chicago Sun-Times: Madigan flags down Metra board

[Tweed]

http://www.suntimes.com/output/news/cst-nws-metra01.html

"Metra board members agreed to give the commuter railroad's top two bosses hefty salary hikes in a closed meeting that violated the Illinois Open Meetings Act, according to Attorney General Lisa Madigan's office.

A letter Monday from Madigan's office states: "Board action was necessary to move forward with the salary changes and, as such, the board was required to take that action in an open meeting."

To correct the violation, the attorney general's office recommends taking action on the salary changes during a future regularly scheduled meeting, according to the letter.

A violation of the act is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,500 and up to 30 days in jail.

But Madigan spokeswoman Melissa Merz said, "at this point, it is our position that citizens would be best served if the board corrects the violation by conducting a vote on this matter in an open meeting."

Why would you even think about having a meeting like that when Madigan has been pressing the Sunshine law?!