Rev. Ira Acree, right, speaks to Ald. Chris Taliaferro (29) after his appointment to the RTA Board was approved by the transportation committee Wednesday. [Michael McDevitt/The Daily Line]

The City Council Committee on Transportation and Public Way voted Wednesday to approve the appointment of a West Side pastor to the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) Board after a hearing during which the pastor said he was unaware of a looming multi-million budget shortfall facing the agency he is seeking to help oversee. 

The RTA oversees the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra and Pace and is tasked with allocating funding to the three agencies’ service boards, capital planning, monitoring service performance and coordinating system-wide service and standards. 

Just two alderpeople voted against the appointment, Alds. Scott Waguespack (32) and Andre Vasquez (40). The appointment goes to the City Council for final approval later this month.