Live reporting by
Maureen Dunne
SEIU Local 73 and the Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) have reached an agreement over a new contract.
Good morning Chicago! ❄️ I'll be live-tweeting the Chicago Housing Authority's meetings of the board of commissioners for @CHIdocumenters this morning at 8:30. follow this thread for updates or watch the livestream with me at youtube.com/live/6EjEg4hZx…
youtube.com/live/6EjEg4hZx…
08:22 AM Jan 16, 2024 CST

@CHIdocumenters ❄️1: The CHA Board of Commissioners is comprised of 10 members, at least 3 of whom are CHA residents. The board is tasked with overseeing the Chicago Housing Authority's programs & approving actions by its CEO. Today's agenda:

❄️2: The meeting begins at 8:41 a.m. Chairperson Angela Hurlock opens the meeting with an overview of today's agenda, including budgeting more for affordable housing and utilizing more housing vouchers.

❄️3: CEO Tracey Scott offers highlights of the CHA's 2023 accomplishments: - delivered on more than 1,000 more homes & mixed-income properties - 43 CHA families became homeowners as part of Home Ownership Made Easy program - 95% occupancy in public housing developments


❄️5: The meeting moves into public comment. 7 commenters have registered and each has 2 minutes to speak. The first speaker, Ms. Anedra Jackson, comments that she has filed multiple grievances against her property manager with no assistance.

❄️6: The second speaker expresses concern over the allocation of housing and employment resources to migrants in the city. The next commenter Melvin Bailey stresses accountability with property management companies and expresses interest in partnering with CHA.

❄️ Commenter John Carmichael introduces himself as a contractor with CHA and expresses the need for more work and opportunities for residents in CHA. He says communication w/ the Authority has been poor, which is why he came in person today.

❄️8: Public comment concludes after two additional comments regarding facilities lacking laundry services and heat in a common room. Responses to public comments will be available on the CHA website.

❄️9: The meeting recesses following public comment and will return following the conclusion of the committee meetings. The finance and audit committee meeting establishes quorum and begins at 9:27 a.m.

❄️10: Presenters recommend significant changes to the CHA pension plan: - revise pension calculation to consifer highest earning 4 years of employment, instead of averaging career earnings - add an annual cost of living adjustment - adding a 3% payroll contribution from employees

❄️11: SEIU Local 73 and the CHA have reached a new contract with: - 4% base salary increases - longevity bonus - $1,000 raise every decade - 8 sick days - $1,000 one-time ratification bonus for each member

❄️12: The agenda items are approved and the finance and audit committee meeting concludes at 9:58 a.m. Chair Meghan Harte calls the Tenants Services Committee to order

❄️13: The first item regards amending the CHA's agreement w/ other agencies re: the Flexible Housing Pool. The program is designed to assist people experiencing homelessness become housed and access healthcare. cookcountyhealth.org/press_releases…
cookcountyhealth.org/press_releases…

❄️14: The business portion of the begins, where the commission approves the minutes from each meeting. The committee approves the tenant services committee and finance and audit's items unanimously.

❄️15: The meeting goes into closed session and will return in approximately 90 minutes. (I will stick around and return as well!)

❄️16: The committee returns from its closed session and approves the rest of the agenda items unanimously. Quorum is met and the minutes for the November and December meetings are approved.

❄️17: The meeting is adjourned at 2:14 p.m. The next meetings of the Chicago Housing Authority Board of Commissioners is March 8th. Follow @CHIdocumenters for more coverage!