Commissioner (from left) Jeffery Tobolski (Committee Secretary), Stephen Palmer and Commissioner Sean Morrison (Committee Chair).

Cook County Commissioners representing Suburban Metra District No. 3 met this afternoon to fill the Metra board vacancy left by the Hon. Brian Reaves of Lemont who resigned from the Metra Board effective Oct. 14. Commissioners unanimously selected Stephen Palmer of La Grange who will serve out the remainder of the board term which expires on June 30, 2019.

Stephen Palmer is the owner and operator of Palmer Place restaurant located in the Village of La Grange. Family owned and operated since 1983, Palmer Place is a casual dining restaurant serving residents of the western suburbs of Cook County and beyond. Stephen oversees and administers all operational and management components of the business and under his leadership Palmer Place has more than doubled its business and staffs over 100 employees. Stephen is also very active in numerous aspects of the community from business organizations to governmental commissions and committees to charitable foundations and organizations.

“Stephen Palmer will bring his successful business acumen to the oversight responsibilities of the Metra Board of Directors which makes him an exceptional choice. I’m very confident Stephen will represent suburban Metra District No. 3 with the highest level of integrity and professionalism,” stated Commissioner Sean Morrison.

Suburban Metra District No. 3 is comprised of Berwyn, Cicero, Lemont, Lyons, Orland, Palos, Proviso, Riverside and Stickney townships and the appointment process is conducted by weighted vote, which includes Commissioners Sean Morrison (46.71 percent), Jeffrey Tobolski (30.67 percent), Richard Boykin (11.85 percent), Edward Moody (6.38 percent), John Daley (4.29 percent) and Peter Silvestri (0.11 percent).

“I recognize the numerous tasks that lie ahead for Metra and they’re quite significant,” said Palmer. “Stabilizing finances, upgrading equipment and infrastructure, investing in new innovations and technologies, and providing the very best customer service.

“I look forward to working with the administration and the entire board to be proactive and solution-based with ideas, recommendations and constructive criticism when necessary.”

The 11-member Metra Board of Directors is made up of members representing the six-county Chicago metropolitan area, generally meets once a month to discuss various matters such as Capital Oversight, Audit and Finance, Real Estate and Contract Management and Employment Practices.

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— Commissioners appoint Stephen Palmer of La Grange to Metra Board —