Activists to Sue Chicago Housing Authority Over Alleged Open Meetings Act Violation in CEO Appointment

CHICAGO — Activists from the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) are preparing to take legal action against the agency, challenging the process used by its Board of Commissioners to appoint a new CEO. Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson has expressed his intention to oppose the decision as well.

The core of the impending lawsuit revolves around allegations of secrecy and deception. Mayor Johnson advocates for transparency, and while he backs the private lawsuit, he hasn’t disclosed any specific measures the city might employ to halt the newly appointed CEO’s commencement later this month.

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On Tuesday morning, activists convened outside CHA headquarters to declare their intent to sue the agency, accusing it of breaching the Open Meetings Act. This follows the board’s recent decision to appoint Keith Pettigrew as the new CEO.

“The public wasn’t adequately or properly informed about their actions, which we believe were intentionally and deceptively carried out,” asserted Rod Wilson from the Lugenia Burns Hope Center.

The group highlights the March 17 meeting agenda, which failed to clearly indicate a hiring decision. After a closed session, the agenda only referenced “Approval of Personnel Actions,” lacking specificity.

Last week, Johnson demoted Matthew Brewer from his role as board chairman because of that vote. But Brewer remains in his other role as operating chairman. Brewer defended the board’s hiring process as standard practice for personnel, adding that it approved Pettigrew’s hiring by a seven-to-two vote.

“I am a lawyer. I take process and rules seriously. I respect that, and what we did is consistent with what we have done. When I became operating chairman, it was listed on the agenda as a personnel item,” Brewer said.

The mayor has been pushing for his political ally, former Ald. Walter Burnett, to be hired as CEO. But the board deemed him unqualified.

“This is not just about one individual. Let’s keep in mind this is about some real, significant, serious concerns about the irregularities that occurred,” Johnson said.

Johnson says he never personally met Pettigrew. But the CHA says members of Johnson’s administration did interview Pettigrew and another unnamed finalist for the job. The mayor contends that there needs to be more transparency in the hiring process.

“It’s my responsibility to find a pathway forward to course correct. The best way in which we can maintain the trust of the people of this city is to make sure that all of our government entities have an open and transparent process that did not occur in this instance,” Johnson said.

Under the Open Meetings Act, the board is allowed to be vague about personnel matters. The law requires a general description for the subject matter to be discussed during closed session but does not require naming the employee or giving details. But the mayor and the community activists are challenging that.