Chicago Activists Sue Housing Authority Over CEO Selection

Community groups claim the CHA Board violated open meetings law in hiring new CEO.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 7:26am

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A realistic painting of a tall, aging public housing tower in muted earth tones, with dramatic shadows and highlights evoking a sense of political and social tension surrounding the leadership change.The legal battle over the CHA's CEO selection process exposes the ongoing struggle for transparency and community involvement in decisions affecting public housing residents.Chicago Today

Community activists in Chicago have filed a lawsuit 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 Mayor Brandon Johnson supports the lawsuit, he has not specified what steps the city might take to prevent the newly hired CEO from starting.

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, 2026 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 legal battle over the CHA's CEO selection process reflects deeper tensions between City Hall and the housing authority over transparency and community involvement in major decisions affecting low-income residents.