Mayor Brandon Johnson demotes housing authority board chair over CEO flap
Chicago Tribune • • nation
Key Points:
- Mayor Brandon Johnson removed Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) board chair Matthew Brewer after the board, under Brewer’s leadership, appointed Keith Pettigrew as CEO in a move Johnson claims violated state law.
- Johnson criticized Brewer for disenfranchising commissioners and communities, invalidating actions taken under Brewer’s authority, and appointed Jawanza Malone as the new board chair.
- Brewer rejected Johnson’s removal attempts, asserting his authority comes from the CHA board, not the mayor, and accused Johnson of politicizing the process.
- The CHA board voted 7-2 to appoint Pettigrew despite Johnson’s push for his ally Walter Burnett, leading to a standoff complicated by board members’ staggered terms and Pettigrew’s contract protections.
- The conflict adds to broader leadership instability in city agencies, with ongoing challenges in appointing permanent heads at CHA, Chicago Public Schools, and the Chicago Transit Authority.
