Trump’s HUD Could Hinder Chicago Housing Authority CEO Pick

Mayor Brandon Johnson’s choice to fill the CEO slot for the Chicago Housing Authority might require federal approval to move forward, and the Trump administration could stand in the way.

Retiring Alderman Walter Burnett Jr., whose 30-year tenure on city council included many votes and decisions on CHA matters of property and housing that could create a potential conflict of interest, the Chicago Sun-Times reported. That could prompt the need for a federal waiver for him to serve on the housing authority or prompt a requirement that he wait one year after leaving office — known as the “revolving door provision” from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Senior mayoral adviser Jason Lee said Johnson is determined to appoint Burnett to CEO of the agency.

It’s unclear whether the regulation applies in this instance. Former Alderman Terry Peterson also moved from city council straight to CHA under former Mayor Richard Daley. It is unclear if and when a federal waiver would be granted.

The agency has gone more than nine months without a permanent CEO, and the board has dealt with several other top executives leaving the authority in recent months.

If Burnett lands the $310,000-a-year job, he has pledged to create replacement housing and jobs, promises he has made to residents of Cabrini-Green, the demolished CHA complex where Burnett grew up.

He said as CEO he would prioritize a review of CHA employees and contractors, find a “good chief of staff,” fill the job of chief legal counsel and move forward with CHA’s 30-year-old Plan for Transformation.

CHA has faced significant management problems, including high turnover among executives, with over $868,000 in severance payouts to departing leaders amid ongoing leadership instability. The agency has struggled with outdated technology leading to $10 million in uncollected rent. Meanwhile, the agency is embroiled in legal disputes, including a $24 million verdict related to lead poisoning, which has compounded its operational challenges.— Eric Weilbacher