Mayor Brandon Johnson Clashes with CHA Board Chair Over Controversial CEO Selection

The debate over who will steer the Chicago Housing Authority is intensifying as differing visions collide. The crux of the issue centers on the authority’s leadership structure and future direction.

Mayor Brandon Johnson has taken a decisive step by demoting Matthew Brewer, the sitting chairman of the CHA Board, marking a significant shift in the ongoing tug-of-war over selecting the next CEO.

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Earlier this year, the CHA Board embarked on an exhaustive search for a new CEO, culminating in an announcement at their March gathering. However, the individual they chose was not aligned with Mayor Johnson’s preferences, as he had hoped to install a political ally in the role. In response, the mayor is now maneuvering to assert his influence.

Matthew Brewer, who serves as the CHA’s Operating Chairman, voiced his objections during a session held in the very room where the board recently voted 7-2 to finalize the CEO appointment. He expressed strong opposition to the mayor’s recent actions concerning the agency’s leadership.

“It seems he’s attempting to undo the board’s efforts, potentially leaving the CHA in limbo without a CEO, all to install his preferred candidate,” Brewer remarked.

The CHA Board selected Keith Pettigrew to be the next CEO. He’s a veteran public housing executive who most recently led the Washington, D.C. Housing Authority.

That ran afoul of Mayor Johnson’s desire to install his hand-picked political ally, former alderman Walter Burnett Jr., as CEO. The board deemed him unqualified for the job. Burnett, who is a CHA landlord, has not received a required waiver from HUD to be CEO.

“That appointment has been troubled since the very beginning, and it’s clear that the mayor is probably not going to get his way on this and that he should move on,” ABC7 Political Analyst Laura Washington said. “And it’s just curious as to why the mayor wants to continue this fight.”

The mayor’s battle with current CHA leadership includes demoting Brewer as Chairman of the Board, replacing him with his ally commissioner Jawanza Malone. He could not be reached for comment.

The mayor also is challenging Brewer’s authority as Operating Chairman. 14 1:15

“Only the board has the authority to give me that title and those responsibilities, and the mayor doesn’t have the ability to remove that,” Brewer said.

Pettigrew, who was not available for an interview with ABC7, has a clause in his four-year contract that says he can’t be fired in the first year except for cause.

The mayor’s office says Brewer and the board violated the open meeting act, which invalidates Pettrigrew’s hiring. Brewer says Mayor Johnson is putting politics over people.

“Chicago is at a pivotal point, and decisions that we make now can impact us for decades,” Brewer said.

The battle could very well wind up in court. But in the meantime, incoming CEO Keith Pettigrew is expected to start in his new role on April 20.