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Politics & Government

Metra Nixes Plans For Ridgefield Station

A lack of funds for the project may be to blame.

Crystal Lake Mayor Aaron Shepley announced during a break at the March 15 city council meeting that Metra had withdrawn its petition to annex 17.35 acres in Crystal Lake for a proposed third train station. The city council was to discuss the proposal with Metra officials that evening. 

Shepley said Metra attorneys had contacted him and city attorney Dan Curran announcing it would not continue to pursue the annexation of the land for a third station at Ridgefield. 

“We received a letter yesterday from Metra’s attorneys withdrawing the application together with a letter saying it is allowing the property to expire,” he said. 

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Councilwoman Carolyn Schofield said Metra had been postponing meetings with the council for almost a year. She had recently verbalized her frustration at council meetings over the delays, she said. 

“I don’t think they were ready to move,” she said.

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Michelle Rentzsch, director of planning and economic development, said that delays were caused for several reasons.

First being the controversy surrounding Metra Executive Director Phil Pagano, who in 2010 was accused of taking $475,000 in unauthorized funds and subsequently committing suicide.

Once a new executive director was found, Metra wanted to bring him up to speed which added to delays. 

Additionally, Metra spent time providing solutions to watershed and traffic issues the city council called for. 

Rentzsch said her understanding for the withdrawal was that Metra just didn’t have the money at this time to purchase the property despite having access to some federal funding.

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