[remote or in person] Chicago Housing Authority Board of Commissioners

Chicago Housing Authority

Development

Housing

Monday, March 24, 2025
8:30 a.m. — 1:00 p.m. CDT

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60 E Van Buren St Chicago, IL 60605 (Directions)

CHA Central Office, 7th Floor, Board Chambers

Remote Event Link

This is an assignment to cover a series of back-to-back meetings of the Chicago Housing Authority board.

You have the option of attending this meeting remotely or in person.

If you attend in person, you may need to reserve a spot in advance more details here. Please indicate that you attended in person and an hour will be added to your total assignment pay.

If you document the meeting remotely, it will be live-streamed on the Chicago Housing Authority’s Youtube channel at this link: https://www.youtube.com/@ChiHousingAuthority/streams

Meeting schedule (additional details here) & documents Meeting schedule

8:30 a.m.: Public Hearing
8:40 a.m.Real Estate Operations Development Committee (Business Session & Public Hearing)
8:50 a.m.: Tenant Services Committee (Business Session & Public Hearing)
9:00 a.m.: Board Meeting -Business Session
9:00 a.m.: Board Meeting -Closed Session

You’re encouraged to stick around through closed session as you are able because public bodies are technically supposed to return to open session in order to officially end the meeting and/or officially vote on any decisions, and this time will be added to your total assignment hours. The meeting duration varies but usually wraps up between noon and 1 p.m.

Check the source website for additional information

Assignment

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Reporting

Edited and summarized by the Chicago - IL Documenters Team

Live reporting by Jhaylin Benson

The Real Estate Operations Development Committee approved five items, including housing assistance payments and cooperative purchasing agreements.

COMRADE_JAY

Good morning folks, I will be live-reporting the March 24th Chicago Housing Authority Board of Commissioners meeting. Start time is 8:30 p.m. Please follow below. #CHIdocumenters @CHIdocumenters

08:31 AM Mar 24, 2025 CDT

COMRADE_JAY @jhaylin_benson 2/34

The meeting's agenda has been made available via the Chicago Housing Authority's website. thecha.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.…

thecha.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.…

COMRADE_JAY @jhaylin_benson 3/34

According to the meeting's agenda, which is available on the legistrar as a PDF, the meeting will begin with a roll call and then there will be an approval of minutes. It should be noted this meeting was originally scheduled for March 18th.

COMRADE_JAY @jhaylin_benson 4/34

The stream has just went live and the roll call begins. Matthew Brewer begins the meeting by outlining how the meeting will play out. There are no absences on the board of commissioners.

COMRADE_JAY @jhaylin_benson 5/34

After a brief vote and passing of the meeting's minutes, Wilfred Harris takes the time to highlight that this meeting is taking place so close to International Women's Day. She receives a loud applause at the conclusion of her monologue.

COMRADE_JAY @jhaylin_benson 6/34

Matthew Brewer moves along the meeting by highlighting the recent success of the Board. There was recently an opening of Edith Spurlock Sampson and Sheffield Residences.

COMRADE_JAY @jhaylin_benson 7/34

For the first time in years there are light refreshments provided for those that physically present at this meeting. And now the Interim Chief Executive Officer, Angela Hurlock begins her presentation.

COMRADE_JAY @jhaylin_benson 8/34

Hurlock's words are focused on how the CHA can improve as an organization. Not only has the CHA revamped their website, but they have also conducted employee-surveys to better understand how they might be better in the future. There are plans for a community-survey.

COMRADE_JAY @jhaylin_benson 9/34

According to the report being given by Hurlock, CHA will be opening a National Public Housing Museum. I have included an article that gives an overview of what this museum will provide for the public. citylimits.org/from-nyc-to-ch…

citylimits.org/from-nyc-to-ch…

COMRADE_JAY @jhaylin_benson 10/34

Angela Hurlock is sure to mention that CHA has been making moves on a National level. They have recently traveled Washington D.C. to meet with Illinois Congresspeople, including Dick Durbin.

COMRADE_JAY @jhaylin_benson 11/34

Commissioner LaShawn Cobb shares her backstory as a homeowner that was able to raise her station in life in large part because of help from Chicago Housing Authority. The reason she is giving this background information is to highlight how dangerous the impending budget cuts....

COMRADE_JAY @jhaylin_benson 12/34

the entire point of organizations like the CHA is to uplift and give opportunity to those that have not be enjoyed such upward mobility. Hearing a successful and accomplished Black woman speak to how important CHA has been in her life perfectly illuminates why the CHA is needed.

COMRADE_JAY @jhaylin_benson 13/34

Matthew Brewer now open the meeting to public. There are 22 public speakers and as such there will be a 2-minute limit for each speaker. They are allowed to ask questions or raise any concerns, expect those related to the planned votes. Voting is a separate section.

COMRADE_JAY @jhaylin_benson 14/34

As to be expected the first three public speakers are here to complain how ineffective and unclear the Chicago Housing Authority has been with dealing with the public. After such beautiful words in the first 40 or so minutes of the meeting it is almost shocking to hear this.

COMRADE_JAY @jhaylin_benson 15/34

I wish the public speakers had more time to work with. It seems like their speaking is rushed and therefore it is a bit tough to catch the names of their Residences that they are complaining about.

COMRADE_JAY @jhaylin_benson 16/34

OK, now I have figured out which residence most of the early public speakers are complaining about. ALBA houses were a group of four public housing properties. Most of the property was demolished to make room for Roosevelt Square.

COMRADE_JAY @jhaylin_benson 17/34

It would appear that the Chicago Housing Authority has not been proactive enough with jump starting the rehabilitation of the remaining ALBA properties. The conditions are so poor one public speaker's daughter contracted a disease. There are also complaints of relocation.

COMRADE_JAY @jhaylin_benson 18/34

I cannot ignore the juxtaposition of hearing one of the public speakers complain about his laundry room not being unlimited and not having AT&T in his unit. His problems seem to pale in comparison to those that are complaining about unsafe living conditions.

COMRADE_JAY @jhaylin_benson 19/34

For the past few minutes the meeting is focused on speaking with property managers that are in attendance. Representatives for numerous different property management companies are in attendance, among them is Mercy Housing that has properties from the 100s to the north side.

COMRADE_JAY @jhaylin_benson 20/34

Francine Washington is offering resistance to her fellow commissioners. The Board is trying to reassure her that relocation due to rehabilitation is not forced and residents are given the choice as to where they wish to relocate as long as it is still in the same network.

COMRADE_JAY @jhaylin_benson 21/34

It is nice to hear a commissioner strongly doubt the ability of this Board to make property managers follow protocol. It is one thing to remind someone what is supposed to be done vs applying pressure to get things done.

COMRADE_JAY @jhaylin_benson 22/34

I forgot to mention above, this current section of the meeting is Real Estate Operations Development Committee Report. It is being run by James Matanky, Chairman of the committee.

COMRADE_JAY @jhaylin_benson 23/34

Lee Pratter, Deputy Chief Development Officer advocates for the closing of Southbridge 1C and approval of a $10 million loan to build new property as a replacement.

COMRADE_JAY @jhaylin_benson 24/34

The next item on the agenda is the proposed acquiring of Lowe's home properties.

COMRADE_JAY @jhaylin_benson 25/34

James Matanky just called for the Real Estate Operations Committee Report. The motion easily passes.

COMRADE_JAY @jhaylin_benson 26/34

The board is now debating on whether or not the to award and execute Personal Service Agreement. This program is in place so different government entities and groups will be forced into the enrichment of the youth.

COMRADE_JAY @jhaylin_benson 27/34

The meeting is now opening itself back up. The public is being allowed to air out any grievances that a speaker may or may not have.

COMRADE_JAY @jhaylin_benson 28/34

Item 7 is passed and there will be an award for the Summer Youth program. Very quickly there is a vote to approve the minutes of the meeting and another vote to begin the closed session part of the meeting.

COMRADE_JAY @jhaylin_benson 29/34

There have been another two votes one to pass agenda items 1-5 and the other vote was for item 7 to be both passed. Both votes are unanimous.

COMRADE_JAY @jhaylin_benson 30/34

Chief Financial Officer, Michael Moran will now present the 9th item of the agenda. The recommendation is to approve the adoption of an amended and restated Chicago Housing Authority Employee's Retirement Plan.

COMRADE_JAY @jhaylin_benson 31/34

And with that the session is now closed. I will remain on stream to see if there is any news after the closed session.

COMRADE_JAY @jhaylin_benson 32/34

I am currently still waiting for the meeting to begin again. The closed session has continued for the past 30 minutes easily.

COMRADE_JAY @jhaylin_benson 33/34

It is now 12:54 p.m. and the closed session has still not ended. I will now be signing off but I will keep my live stream open to catch anything that is said. Have a great afternoon, I hope my live-reporting has been helpful.

COMRADE_JAY @jhaylin_benson 34/34

Still in closed session. I will now close the stream. I hope that all enjoyed my Twitter thread.

View thread

Attachments

2 attachments

Board Meeting Information

By Rachel Birkhahn-Rommelfanger ⋅ March 24th, 2025

Legistar meeting calendar

By India Daniels ⋅ July 16th, 2024

Agency Information

Chicago Housing Authority

See Documenters reporting

The CHA Board of Commissioners is the governing body that determines policies and resolutions of CHA. The Board approves decisions that chart the direction of current and future programs and authorizes the actions of the Chief Executive Officer and his or her designees. The 10-member Board of Commissioners is confirmed by the Chicago City Council for staggered five-year terms. All commissioners must be residents of Chicago, and at least three commissioners must be CHA residents. Employees of CHA are not authorized to serve as commissioners.

Remote meetings are live-streamed on the Chicago Housing Authority’s Youtube channel. The video may not appear until at or a few minutes after the scheduled start time. If you do not see if right away, wait a few moments and try refreshing your Internet tab.