Mayor Backs Activists' Lawsuit Against Chicago Housing Authority Over CEO Selection

Johnson supports private lawsuit, but won't say what city might do to stop new CEO from starting

Apr. 7, 2026 at 9:26pm

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A dimly lit, cinematic interior scene of an empty office space with sparse furnishings and a large window casting warm, angled sunlight across the room, creating a sense of isolation and bureaucratic detachment.The controversy over the CHA's CEO selection process exposes a rift between City Hall and the housing authority over transparency and community involvement in major decisions.Chicago Today

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson says he supports a lawsuit filed by community activists against the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) over the process used to select a new CEO. The activists claim the CHA Board of Commissioners violated the Open Meetings Act by not properly notifying the public about the hiring decision. While Johnson backs the lawsuit, he declined to say what steps the city might take to prevent the newly hired CEO from starting later this month.

Why it matters

The controversy highlights ongoing tensions between City Hall and the CHA over transparency and community involvement in major decisions. Johnson has been pushing for his political ally to be hired as CEO, but the board deemed that candidate unqualified.

The details

Activists gathered outside CHA headquarters on Tuesday to announce plans to sue the agency, claiming there was not adequate public notification about the board's decision last month to hire Keith Pettigrew as the new CEO. The group points to the March 17 agenda, which only referred to "Approval of Personnel Actions" without specifically mentioning a hiring decision. Last week, Johnson demoted Matthew Brewer from his role as board chairman due to the vote, though Brewer remains in his other position as operating chairman. Brewer defended the board's hiring process as standard practice for personnel matters.

  • The CHA Board of Commissioners voted on March 17 to hire Keith Pettigrew as the new CEO.
  • Activists announced plans to sue the CHA on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

The players

Brandon Johnson

The mayor of Chicago, who supports the activists' lawsuit against the CHA and has been pushing for his political ally to be hired as CEO.

Keith Pettigrew

The newly hired CEO of the Chicago Housing Authority.

Matthew Brewer

The operating chairman of the CHA Board of Commissioners, who defended the board's hiring process as standard practice.

Rod Wilson

A representative of the Lugenia Burns Hope Center, an activist group that is planning to sue the CHA.

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What they’re saying

“There was not adequate or proper notification to the public about what they were doing. We believe this was done intentionally and deceptively.”

— Rod Wilson, Lugenia Burns Hope Center

“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.”

— Matthew Brewer, Operating Chairman, CHA Board of Commissioners

“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.”

— Brandon Johnson, Mayor of Chicago

What’s next

The activists plan to file a lawsuit against the CHA over the CEO selection process. The mayor says he will continue to fight the decision, but did not specify what steps the city might take to prevent the new CEO from starting.

The takeaway

The controversy over the CHA's CEO selection process highlights ongoing tensions between City Hall and the housing authority over transparency and community involvement in major decisions. The mayor's support for the activists' lawsuit suggests a desire to exert more control over the CHA, even as the board maintains it followed standard procedures.