Former Chicago Official Alleges Turmoil in Mayor's Office

Accusations of bullying and report revisions raise concerns about transparency and accountability.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 7:56am

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A quiet, cinematic painting of an empty city hall office, with a lone desk and chair bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and deep shadows, conveying a sense of melancholy and isolation.The scathing allegations from a former city official expose the tensions and dysfunction within Chicago's City Hall.Chicago Today

A former Chicago Human Relations Commissioner, Nancy Andrade, has written a scathing email accusing two senior leaders in Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration of bullying, lying about her, and creating a hostile work environment. The email reveals turmoil within City Hall, particularly around a report on the rise in Jewish hate crimes that Andrade says was diluted by the mayor's office.

Why it matters

The allegations from a former high-ranking city official point to deeper issues of transparency, accountability, and workplace culture within Mayor Johnson's administration. The dispute over the hate crimes report also raises concerns about the city's commitment to addressing discrimination and supporting marginalized communities.

The details

In her email, Andrade accused the mayor's Chief Equity Officer Carla Kupe and Chief of Staff Cristina Pacione-Zayas of prohibiting the Human Relations Commission from livestreaming a public hearing on the rise in Jewish hate crimes, and then revising the resulting report to become an "All Lives Matter" document rather than a "Jewish Lives Matter" report as originally intended. Andrade also said she was informed about "informal reports from your staff about a hostile work environment," which she denied.

  • The public hearing on Jewish hate crimes in Chicago was held in September 2025.
  • Andrade sent her scathing email to the mayor's office on March 12, 2026.
  • Andrade resigned from her position as Human Relations Commissioner last month, citing family reasons.

The players

Nancy Andrade

The former Human Relations Commissioner for the City of Chicago who resigned last month and has now accused top officials in Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration of bullying and creating a hostile work environment.

Carla Kupe

The Chief Equity Officer in Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration, who Andrade accused of being involved in revising a report on Jewish hate crimes in Chicago.

Cristina Pacione-Zayas

The Chief of Staff in Mayor Brandon Johnson's administration, who Andrade also accused of being involved in revising the report on Jewish hate crimes and creating a hostile work environment.

Brandon Johnson

The current Mayor of Chicago whose administration is facing allegations of turmoil and misconduct from a former high-ranking city official.

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What they’re saying

“The Human Relations Commission "was prohibited from livestreaming the public hearing despite requests from the public and my own request to do so.”

— Nancy Andrade, Former Human Relations Commissioner

“What had been a "Jewish Lives Matter" report was diluted to become an "All Lives Matter" report.”

— Nancy Andrade, Former Human Relations Commissioner

What’s next

The mayor's office has denied Andrade's allegations, but it remains to be seen if any further investigations or actions will be taken in response to the former commissioner's scathing email.

The takeaway

The scathing allegations from a former city official shine a light on the behind-the-scenes tensions and dysfunction within Chicago's City Hall, raising concerns about transparency, accountability, and the city's commitment to addressing discrimination and supporting marginalized communities.