(The Center Square) – Illinois state Sen. Don DeWitte is questioning the Northern Illinois Transit Authority’s decision to pay interim Executive Director Jamie Rhee $350,000 annually while she collects a taxpayer-funded Chicago pension exceeding $213,000 a year.
DeWitte, R-St. Charles, called the arrangement “double-dipping” and said it raises questions about whether the newly restructured transit agency will deliver the reforms promised during two years of legislative hearings.
“A $500,000 a year salary for an interim appointment, I think most hard-working taxpayers in the state of Illinois can only dream of having an income like that,” DeWitte told The Center Square.
Rhee’s combined annual salary and pension exceed $563,000. She retired from the city of Chicago in April 2025 after more than 32 years of city service, including nearly seven years as commissioner of the Chicago Department of Aviation. She was appointed interim executive director of NITA in September as the agency begins a national search for a permanent leader.
The six-month interim appointment comes as Illinois’ public transit system undergoes a major restructuring intended to address financial challenges and prevent significant service cuts.
DeWitte said lawmakers repeatedly raised concerns during hearings about excessive overtime, cash management, inadequate oversight, executive salaries and performance bonuses under the former Regional Transportation Authority.
“This is not the reform that people were promised,” DeWitte said. “I think this is simply business as usual by Chicago and Cook County Democrats who ultimately now control our entire mass transit system.”
DeWitte said he would support legislation restricting public employees from collecting a government salary while simultaneously receiving a taxpayer-funded pension.
“Do taxpayers really need to be paying both compensation and pension benefits to the same person at the same time?” DeWitte said.
He said Republicans have introduced legislation targeting double-dipping during his eight years in the Illinois Senate, but the issue remains unresolved. He argued that lawmakers should examine whether the practice is appropriate when public agencies face financial pressures.
Rhee’s pension is separate from her NITA salary. NITA has said she will not receive additional retirement benefits from the interim position.
In a Sept. 10 news release, NITA said its board unanimously elected Tom Kotarac as chair and appointed Rhee as interim executive director. The board also authorized a national search for a permanent executive director.
NITA highlighted Rhee’s more than 30 years of experience in Chicago government, including her tenure as commissioner of the Chicago Department of Aviation from 2018 to 2025. The agency said Rhee’s priorities include delivering early improvements for riders while establishing a strong operational foundation for its permanent leadership.
The Center Square requested comment from NITA regarding Rhee’s compensation and pension but did not receive a response.
The restructuring that created NITA took effect Sept. 1, replacing the RTA as the coordinating agency for the Chicago Transit Authority, Metra and Pace. The new structure changed how the regional transit system is governed, including board appointments and voting rules.
DeWitte said the changes give Chicago and Cook County Democrats greater control over the system, diminishing the influence of suburban counties. He expressed concern the restructuring could allow Chicago officials to use regional transit resources to address the CTA’s financial difficulties.
The CTA has faced billions of dollars in debt and unfunded pension obligations, adding to pressure for a regional funding solution.
NITA’s initial actions also include expanding its Access Pilot Program to the CTA and Pace beginning Oct. 1, allowing eligible Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients to pay reduced fares across the regional transit system.
According to the agency, more than 350,000 rides had been taken through the program since its launch in February 2024. NITA also unveiled a draft mapping tool to help municipalities implement the People Over Parking Act, which generally prohibits minimum parking requirements for new developments near designated public transportation hubs and corridors.
Under the new law, NITA board appointments must be ratified by the Illinois Senate.
DeWitte said lawmakers could use the confirmation process to question the agency’s leadership, compensation decisions and commitment to reform.
“I will be interested to see how the ratification appointments go at the Senate level,” DeWitte said. He added that he hopes lawmakers will continue pressing for changes to the region’s transit system.
DeWitte said the interim director’s compensation raises broader questions about accountability as NITA assumes responsibility for regional transit planning and funding.
“I think it raises significant questions about whether anything is really going to be changed,” DeWitte said.
