Metra

Metra is gearing up to lobby Washington to postpone a deadline to install a costly and intricate rail safety system, and the agency may also lobby Springfield to protect the rail agency’s very existence.

Regional Transportation Authority Board members on Wednesday signed off on the agency’s final audit of Metra’s settlement with former Metra CEO Alex Clifford. According to testimony at Wednesday’s meeting, the agencies will now focus on how to offset payments to Clifford.

Clifford resigned in June pursuant to a severance agreement worth up to $871,000. Metra approved the agreement to avoid a potential lawsuit that the former CEO had threatened to file against the agency.

Cook County commissioners representing the northern suburbs on Wednesday affirmed the appointment of John Plante, a Wilmette attorney and former Chicago Transit Authority manager, to serve on the embattled Metra Board of Directors.

Effective immediately, Plante replaces William Widmer, one of five Metra Board members that have resigned from the 11-member body after approving a severance package in June for former Metra Chief Executive Officer Alex Clifford that could end up being worth as much as $871,000.