Stanley Rakestraw was appointed as a member from suburban Cook County, but it was revealed this week that he moved to Chicago after his home in Flossmoor was destroyed by fire.
After learning this, County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said she asked Rakestraw to step down.
Also on Thursday, Governor Pat Quinn has appointed a 15-member task force to reform mass public transit in the Chicago area.
Metra has been criticized in recent weeks after giving former CEO Alex Clifford a $718,000 severance package.
There have also been calls for change at the Regional Transportation Authority, which oversees Metra.
Governor Quinn says former U.S. attorney Patrick Fitzgerald is among the members.
"He has an ethic of service, public service. I think Patrick Fitzgerald and all the members, all 15 members understand their first loyalty is to the everyday people," said Gov. Quinn.
Quinn says the task force will make recommendations that lawmakers will consider later this year.
