The Governor gets to appoint the one suburban member to the CTA board and for it he has nominated a south suburban politician, who could have an impact on next year's gubernatorial primary.
When it comes to turning out democratic voters, nobody in the state does it better than the party's Thornton Township Committeeman Frank Zuccarelli.
"I get a lot of credit for the intelligence of our voters here in Thornton Township. We've got a lot of smart voters," said Frank Zuccarelli, Thornton Township Committeeman.
Last week, Governor Pat Quinn nominated Zuccarelli-- who also is the elected Thornton Township Supervisor-- to be the suburban representative on the Chicago Transit Authority board.
"I think it's important to have someone on the CTA board that stands up for the South Suburbs," said Gov. Quinn.
"I think it's a disgrace," said Bill Daley.
Former U.S. Commerce Secretary Bill Daley, the governor's democratic primary opponent called the Zuccarelli appointment "political" as he questioned the nominee's transit expertise.
"I believe that Mr. Zuccarelli's experience probably in transportation is transiting people to polling places either by car or by walking," said Daley.
"I feel sorry that Bill Daley thinks that but I have a lot more experience than just that in transportation and so many other areas," said Zuccarelli.
Zuccarelli would make $25,000 a year on the CTA board. That in addition to his $128,000 annual salary as township supervisor, a job that is not listed among the elected positions CTA board members may not hold.
"The law makes it crystal clear that someone who is a township supervisor is able to serve," said Gov. Quinn.
"We know the game and this is the usual game. But all I'm saying is that the usual politics has got to change," said Daley.
Zuccarelli says Thornton Township democrats are a long way from endorsing either candidate for governor, but indicated Quinn is his frontrunner.
"At this point, he's certainly presented himself as the best man for the job," said Zuccarelli.
The Illinois senate must confirm Zuccarelli's appointment. Candidate Daley is asking the senator to reject the nomination.
