Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) resident leaders voiced their discontent with Ald. Walter Burnett Jr. (27th) at a news conference on Tuesday, indicating that he does not represent the interests and needs of public housing residents.
Mary Baggett, the president of the ABLA resident council, highlighted Burnett’s disconnect from the realities faced by residents today, stating, “It doesn’t matter that you grew up in Cabrini-Green. You ain’t been living how we’ve been living since you left Cabrini-Green, and you don’t understand how public housing is ran.”
Baggett’s remarks came shortly after Burnett emerged as a leading candidate for the CHA CEO position, a role he described as a “dream job” due to his personal history with Cabrini-Green.
In response to the criticism from residents, Burnett stated that he is in discussions with CHA commissioners and views the situation as one of business rather than personal feelings. “This is about helping people who need a place to live,” he remarked.
However, resident leaders fear that Burnett’s vision for the CHA would overlook crucial issues such as resident involvement in decision-making, the construction of public and affordable housing, and the preservation of land dedicated to these purposes.
Francine Washington, president of the resident leader board and a member of the CHA’s board of commissioners, noted that the CEO search committee, composed of resident leaders, government partners, and board members, had originally recommended three candidates to the mayor before Burnett’s name was introduced.
Despite the committee’s recommendations, neither Burnett nor the mayor has reached out to other resident leaders, many of whom discovered his candidacy through media reports.
This lack of communication has been termed disrespectful not only to the leaders but also to the broader community of residents across various public housing developments, which include scattered sites and senior living buildings.
Robert Scott, president of a number of senior buildings within the CHA, emphasized their partnership with the agency, stating, “That means CHA is in a partnership with us — we’re not their stepchildren. We’re tired of being neglected. We are tired, period, as human beings. Not pawns, not to be bargained with, not to be bargained over.”
The group expressed concern over potential conflicts of interest and favoritism that may arise due to Burnett’s political background. Washington pointed out that having a politician at the helm of the CHA raises the risk of political debts overshadowing the needs of the residents.
Concerns were also raised regarding Burnett’s connections to unions and developers potentially limiting employment opportunities for residents and risking the loss of public housing properties to other interests.
Catherine Serpa, representing the agency’s scattered site program, stated, “We don’t need a CEO that’s willing to sell off CHA properties just for his own benefit. I just think that appointing somebody with this type of track record sends a dangerous message that our communities are for sale.”
The resident leaders are advocating for former CEO Eugene Jones Jr. to fill the position instead, and they communicated their stance in a letter to the mayor in June, which has gone unanswered, they claim.
Burnett, during an interview, acknowledged having a good discussion with Washington about the CEO search but contended that he has also engaged with other CHA leaders outside of this process. He explained his role as an alderperson as focusing on helping all developments in his ward by providing support for community events and addressing resident concerns.
He remarked, “My duty and my job is to help the people I represent first, then I help everybody else. But some of these guys want to dictate what goes on with everything, and somewhat push their way into something. I think they’re disturbed because they know I don’t bend, I don’t flinch. I stand on what I believe in, and I stand on what’s right.”
Having grown up across various Chicago housing developments, including Cabrini-Green, Burnett claims to understand the needs of the community and insists that he knows how to navigate development processes in the city.
From his time as a young precinct captain fixing locks and lights for residents to his rise as vice mayor and chair of the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards, Burnett emphasizes his experience with both residents and developers.
Despite the challenges the CHA faces, as it has operated without a permanent leader since the departure of former CEO Tracey Scott late last year, Burnett asserts, “Selling out the residents is nothing I would do.”
The CHA has been marked by historical challenges, a sentiment echoed by Scott during his tenure, yet the mayor retains the authority to appoint its CEO and board members. In a report for his transition, Mayor Brandon Johnson emphasized the need for the CHA to increase housing production and improve transparency and accountability.
Burnett, while uncertain when a decision may be made by the mayor, stated, “I don’t know what they’re afraid of with me. I’m not going to hurt them, but I’m not going to be somebody they just walk over. I’m going to be somebody who treats them fair and I’m going to treat the residents fair first.”
image source from：blockclubchicago
