Chicago Housing Authority Faces Scrutiny Over CEO Appointment Amid Alleged Open Meetings Act Violation

The Chicago Housing Authority’s recent appointment of a new chief executive officer, Keith Pettigrew, has drawn sharp criticism from Mayor Brandon Johnson’s administration after claims the selection process violated the Illinois Open Meetings Act. The CHA board’s decision, made through a 7-2 vote earlier this week, bypassed Johnson’s preferred candidate, former Alderman Walter Burnett.

Cristina Pacione-Zayas, Johnson’s chief of staff, said Friday there would be "consequences" for what she described as a "secret process" that lacked proper transparency. She stopped short of specifying what actions the city would take but suggested legal avenues were being considered. "If this board operated in a way that violated one of the key pieces of any public body — the Open Meetings Act — then there will be some consequences around that," Pacione-Zayas said, emphasizing the importance of transparency in public agencies managing taxpayer resources.

The CHA board, chaired by Matthew Brewer, selected Pettigrew, currently the executive director of the District of Columbia Housing Authority, to lead the $1.4 billion agency serving 65,000 Chicago households. Brewer, who was recently removed by the mayor as board chair, asserted the hiring process complied with all applicable laws, including allowing certain personnel matters to be discussed privately. He contended that opposition from Johnson stemmed from disagreement over the candidate rather than any statutory violation. "They have to do with the mayor not getting the person he wanted as CEO," Brewer stated.

The mayor’s initial choice, Burnett, could not be fully considered due to unresolved conflict-of-interest issues tied to his history as a CHA landlord. According to HUD and CHA records, Burnett and his wife have received more than $260,000 since 2007 from renting units to voucher holders, prompting a need for federal waivers before his candidacy could advance.

As of Friday, the dispute between City Hall and the CHA board remained unresolved, with Johnson’s office indicating further action would become apparent in coming weeks. No formal legal proceedings have been announced, and Pettigrew’s appointment stands amid ongoing scrutiny of the CHA board’s process.