The Metra Board of Directors reportedly hired its first Hispanic member Friday, as well as a second new member from DuPage County.
Former federal Judge Manuel Barbosa of Elgin and John Zediker of Naperville brought the board's total up to eight, according to a report from the Chicago Tribune.
It now has enough members to elect a permanent chairman, but that's unlikely to happen soon.
Barbosa reportedly said he believes Metra is in "a time of opportunity for improvement."
DuPage County Board Chairman appointed former county board member John Zediker to the Metra board earlier this month.
Zediker said wants to make sure DuPage County receives fair funding and good governance, and plans to "restore Metra to its rightful position as a leader in the public transportation in Chicago, the suburbs, the state and the country," the Tribune reported.
Former Ald. Martin Oberman also attended Friday's meeting. Oberman was nominated by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, but the City Council hasn't confirmed his appointment.
His appointment comes more than a month after Emanuel announced that Larry Huggins would resign from the scandal-tarnish board. Several other board members, including chairman Brad O'Halloran, have resigned in recent weeks. The board has faced criticism in the wake of the $718,000 buyout of the commuter rail agency's former CEO Alex Clifford.
Oberman reportedly said he attended the meeting to "do his homework."
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Oberman's appointment would take effect immediately pending council approval.
Barbosa and Zediker are replacing two of the five board members who resigned in the face of the controversy surrounding the Metra this summer.
