A recent Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) meeting took an unexpected turn when Board Commissioner Francine Washington reportedly made an inappropriate remark that has since triggered an internal review and renewed calls for formal policy implementation.
According to a report by the Office of the Inspector General, Washington engaged in a "sexually graphic conversation" during a CHA session, including an explicit statement about her personal needs. The report, published by Mail Online, notes that the incident occurred in the presence of other agency employees, leaving several staff members uncomfortable.
Washington, who has served on the CHA Board of Commissioners since 2014 and holds several other leadership roles within public housing advisory bodies, claimed her comments were misinterpreted. She also alleged that her actions may have been mischaracterized by a human resources official who took issue with her persistent inquiries into agency operations.
In her defense, Washington stated, “All the board members know me. I don’t change with the weather. I love being a public housing resident and I love my residents. I would never do anything to harm them or the Authority.”
The report also indicated that Interim Board Chair Matthew Brewer addressed the incident directly with Washington. Though Washington acknowledged the conversation, she did not recall its specifics. Brewer stated that the commissioner committed not to engage in similar behavior going forward.
Additionally, the Inspector General found that the CHA currently lacks a formal sexual harassment policy—a gap that was highlighted as a significant concern. Brewer acknowledged the recommendation and noted that commissioners have participated in annual ethics and sexual harassment training for several years.
In a statement to the Chicago Tribune, CHA reiterated its commitment to upholding professional standards, stating:
"The Chicago Housing Authority is committed to fostering a culture of respect and accountability to uphold ethical and professional standards for all stakeholders, including our Commissioners and staff members."
While the agency declined to comment on specific personnel matters, it emphasized that all misconduct allegations are taken seriously.
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