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Metra’s board recently contracted Hillard Heintze to serve as an interim Office of Inspector General (OIG). The firm also will assist Metra in selecting a permanent on-staff OIG, Metra officials said in a prepared statement.

Hillard Heintze is headed by former U.S. Secret Service Chicago Special-Agent-in-Charge Arnette Heintze and former Chicago Police Superintendent Terry Hillard. The firm will be responsible for assessing all complaints, alerts and alleged incidents and conducting investigations.

The board also began the process of engaging an audit and advisory firm with public sector experience to perform an independent risk assessment and provide advice to the board on governance, financial controls and oversight.

By selecting Hillard Heintze, the board is "making a statement to the public, our partners in government and our riders that we expect Metra executives and our employees to conduct themselves with the highest level of integrity," said Metra Chairman Carole Doris.

"While the actions of our former executive director have tarnished our image, we know the vast majority of the men and women of Metra strive to achieve this high standard every day,” she said, referring to Phil Pagano, who allegedly took unauthorized payments from Metra and was killed May 7 after stepping in front of a Metra train in Crystal Lake, Ill. “We hope they now know that they can bring any concerns they may have — now or in the future — to the OIG for a thorough, professional review."