A bill by State Sen. Susan Garrett (D-Lake Forest) requiring Metra to hire an independent inspector general was defeated today in committee. The bill was introduced as a response to the recent discovery of a half-million dollar fraud against Metra committed by late executive director Phil Pagano.

According to my colleague Dave McKinney in Springfield, Senate minority leader Christine Radogno (R-Lemont) called the bill "premature."

"I think we should keep an eye on it and come back in November," Radogno said.

Garrett said the bill would put pressure on Metra to do the right thing.

Yesterday, Metra appointed the firm headed by former Chicago police superintendent Terry Hillard as acting inspector general. The firm is supposed to investigate fraud and abuse at the agency and help it find a permanent inspector general. See the story here.