Pace’s Board of Directors joined staff for a group photo in front of a new hybrid electric bus and one of 27 new battery-electric buses recently delivered to Pace.
Board members helped guide Pace through major service improvements, new mobility options, technology investments, and a historic transition in regional transit governance
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — Pace recognized departing members of its Board of Directors last week for their years of leadership and public service, marking the close of an era as the agency prepares to transition to a restructured board under the Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act.
The August Board meeting marked the final Pace Board meeting for ten current Board members, whose combined service represents 152 years of leadership on behalf of Pace, its riders, and the communities the agency serves. Their departure comes at a pivotal moment in Pace’s history, as the agency transitions to a restructured Board beginning September 1 and continues working with regional partners to strengthen coordination, accountability, and rider-focused service across northeastern Illinois. Departing members include Chairman Rick Kwasneski, Rachel Arfa, Chris Canning, Terry Carr, David Guerin, Kyle Hastings, Tom Marcucci, Bill McLeod, Jeff Schielke, and Linda Soto.
At the Board meeting, Pace Executive Director Melinda Metzger announced that Pace has begun receiving its first major order of battery-electric buses, providing a fitting and forward-looking note on which to recognize the departing Board members. Their years of advocacy, policy direction, and support for major capital investments helped bring Pace to this milestone, advancing the agency’s commitment to cleaner transportation, modernized operations, and a more sustainable future for suburban transit.
“Pace is stronger because of the leadership, financial stewardship, and public service of this Board,” said Pace Executive Director Melinda Metzger. “For more than four decades, Pace has grown into an essential part of the region’s transportation network because Board members brought firsthand knowledge of their communities and a clear understanding of the role transit plays in connecting people to work, school, medical care, and opportunity.”
During the Board members’ tenure, Pace expanded mobility across the suburbs through major service enhancements, investments in facilities and technology, and innovative programs designed to meet changing travel needs. Those efforts include growth in On Demand and VanGo service, continued development of the Pulse rapid transit network, expansion of Bus on Shoulder and I-90 Flex Lane service, and improvements that make transit more accessible and responsive for riders throughout Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, and Will counties. The Board’s guidance also helped Pace adapt to shifting travel patterns, strengthen first- and last-mile connections, invest in customer-facing technology, and advance a family of services designed for a large and diverse suburban region.
Their leadership also helped position Pace for the future by supporting long-range initiatives such as Driving Innovation, ReVision, Pulse, Project Zero, and ongoing investments in safer, more accessible, and more environmentally responsible service. Together, these efforts have strengthened Pace’s role as both a transit operator and a mobility innovator for suburban communities.
“The achievements of this Board reflect a shared commitment to public service and to the people who depend on Pace every day,” said Pace Chairman Richard A. Kwasneski. “Together, we have helped build a stronger foundation for suburban transit and for the future of public transportation in northeastern Illinois.”
As Pace moves forward under the Northern Illinois Transit Authority Act, the service of the departing Board members will continue to shape the agency’s work. Their leadership helped ensure that suburban mobility needs remained central to regional transit planning, while keeping Pace focused on safe, reliable, accessible, efficient, and environmentally responsible service. At a time of significant change for public transportation in northeastern Illinois, their steady oversight helped Pace maintain continuity, prepare for a new governance structure, and keep riders and communities at the center of decision-making.
“Each departing Board member has helped shape Pace in a meaningful way,” Metzger said. “We are grateful for their perspective, leadership, and commitment to Pace’s riders, employees, and communities, and we thank them for the lasting contributions they have made to the region.”
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Pace Suburban Bus safely and efficiently moves people to work, school, and other regional destinations with its family of public transportation services. Pace offers affordable and environmentally responsible transit options for the residents of 274 municipalities in Cook, Will, DuPage, Kane, Lake, and McHenry counties. The backbone of Chicago’s suburbs, Pace serves tens of thousands of daily riders. One of the largest bus services in North America, Pace covers 3,677 square miles, an area about 15 times the size of the City of Chicago. Pace’s innovative approach to public transportation gives the agency a national reputation as an industry leader.