Ex-Metra Chair's Widow Entitled To Pension

The widow of former Metra Chief Phil Pagano, who committed suicide in May walking in front of a train as the Metra board of directors were set to fire him for embezzling $475,000 in unearned pay, was awarded an $80,000-a-year pension as a survivor benefit.

The benefit was awarded after discussions between Metra's board and Barbara Pagano, according to Regional Transportation Authority acting general counsel Clinton McHugh. Had Phil Pagano not committed suicide, he would have been entitled to an annual pension of $170,000 a year.