Obama Tabs Another Illinois Pol

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Mar 19, 2009 2:40PM

Crain's Greg Hinz is reporting that President Obama has nominated former Riverdale Mayor Jos Szabo the head the Federal Railroad Administration, an operating unit inside the U.S. Department of Transportation. The FRA handles surface rail issues, including Amtrak, and Szabo would be responsible for decisions on the CREATE project as well as high-speed rail funding. Sen. Dick Durbin voiced his support for the choice, saying, "Joe Szabo is uniquely qualified. Five generations of his family have worked on the railroad, and he has worked as a yard switchman, road trainman and commuter passenger conductor." [via Gapers Block]