Gov. Pat Quinn on Thursday is expected to issue an executive order creating a task force charged with reforming the region’s mass transit systems that is expected to include former U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald

Gov. Pat Quinn on Thursday is expected to issue an executive order creating a task force charged with reforming the region’s mass transit systems that is expected to include former U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald, the Chicago Sun-Times has learned.

Fitzgerald, whose work led to the convictions of two Illinois governors, would join a group of 15 transit, finance and good government leaders charged with issuing recommendations to reform the mass transit systems in Northeastern Illinois, according to a source who was informed the governor would be acting Thursday.

The formation of the task force would be the latest fallout from the June 21 resignation of Metra CEO Alex Clifford. His 26-month, up to $718,000 separation deal unleashed a landslide of scrutiny on the Metra board and transit boards throughout the region.

Two inspectors general are now investigating Clifford’s allegations that he was forced out because he refused to bend to patronage and contract demands. Four Metra board members have since resigned; a fifth has been asked to resign; two Regional Transportation Authority board members have bowed out and a Chicago Transit Authority board member resigned — as well as his replacement.

Meanwhile, calls have been increasing to reconfigure the way the system’s transit boards are organized. Quinn gubernatorial opponent Bill Daley has recommended a RTA shakeup, while RTA Board Chairman John Gates Jr. has asked for increased powers.

CTA President Forrest Claypool on Wednesday defended the CTA, saying it should be immune from a shakeup because critics can vote out Mayor Rahmn Emanuel, who names four of seven CTA board members, if they disagree with CTA actions.

The RTA oversees the finances of the CTA, Metra and Pace, the area’s subu