To the Editor:

Government by cronyism has long been a problem in McHenry County. The newly installed chairwoman has an opportunity to reject this corrupt practice and bring openness and transparency to McHenry County government.

McHenry County’s Metra representative, Jack Schaeffer, was clouted into the position because he was a former state senator and former Republican Party chairman. He has no expertise in mass transit issues. He was chosen for this board because of who he knows, not what he knows. He is receiving $20,000 per year in benefits and $20,000 in salary while receiving this third state pension for 12 scheduled meetings a year.