Turmoil at Cook County Housing Authority: A Deep Dive

The Housing Authority of Cook County (HACC), a critical agency serving over 30,000 residents, recently shed its “troubled” designation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). However, internal strife, questionable spending, and high staff turnover threaten to undo this progress, raising concerns about its ability to serve those most in need.

HACC’s Rocky Road: From “Troubled” to Turmoil

Once the nation’s 14th-largest public housing authority, HACC found itself on HUD’s “troubled” list for two years, primarily due to missed audit deadlines and poor property inspections. While it successfully exited this list in October 2025, the relief is overshadowed by significant internal turmoil. Allegations include unauthorized restructuring, escalating tensions between leadership and the board, and a staff environment described as negative and hostile.

Leadership Clashes and Secret Restructuring

The Director’s Unauthorized Plans

Executive Director Danita Childers, who took the helm in 2023, is at the center of a dispute with the board over an alleged staff reorganization. Despite board members stating they were unaware of such plans and denied its occurrence by a spokesperson, documents obtained by the Sun-Times reveal payments exceeding $26,000 to attorney Charles Krugel for “reorganization” work. Childers argued in a September board meeting that day-to-day operations are her purview, not the board’s, emphasizing her efforts to improve a “failing organization.”

Board’s Pushback and Bylaw Changes

Board Chair Wendy Walker Williams countered that executive-level decisions impact the agency’s “strategic direction” and fall under the board’s authority, questioning the secrecy around the restructuring. Williams plans to introduce bylaw changes to clarify the board’s oversight. Furthermore, an email from Childers to Krugel in March explicitly stated interest in a “consultation… related to staff restructuring that I would like to implement,” directly contradicting the agency’s denials.

Staff Exodus and a “Toxic” Environment

High Turnover and Low Morale

HACC has been plagued by significant staff departures. Human Resources Director Raquel Burnette reported “high” resignations in 2024, citing low salaries, though staff turnover remains high even after a union contract agreement this March. Sixteen employees resigned and 14 were terminated through August 2025, compared to 17 resignations and 10 terminations for all of 2024. Former head of IT, Ernest Lofton, resigned after nine years, stating the work environment deteriorated under Childers, leading to an “us versus them mentality.”

Allegations of Favoritism and Harassment

Union workers echoed concerns about a negative culture, with some claiming Childers shows clear favoritism. A new Director of Facilities Management, Broderick Banks, was hired despite managing a vending machine business with HACC’s Chief Legal Officer, Cherie Strong, with whom Childers worked at the Chicago Housing Authority for 14 years. Sheryl Seiling, Director of Rent Assistance for 17 years, lamented, “We have no one to go to… can’t go to [Childers and] can’t go to the [board].”

Questionable Spending on External Contractors

Despite facing an expected multi-million dollar budget shortfall, HACC has earmarked at least $641,000 for outside contractors during Childers’ tenure. This includes hiring an ethics officer, two law firms for evictions, an inspector general, and IT and electronic content management consultants. Some board members, like Eric Slaughter, have objected to this “lot” of consultants, arguing that much of this work should be handled internally. Notably, one consultant hired for a content management system was previously fired from the Chicago Housing Authority after an Equal Employment Opportunity investigation, and her proposal for HACC’s work was initially rated the worst by staff before being hired for a lower fee without board approval.

The Board Member Investigation

Complaints Against Commissioner Slaughter

A recent investigation targeted Commissioner Eric Slaughter after HR Director Burnette filed a complaint, alleging he created a “toxic and hostile environment” and took “direct shots” at her and other senior women. Slaughter, known for questioning agency spending, communicated with staff directly, despite Childers’ directive against it. Childers labeled one of Slaughter’s remarks — questioning why the general counsel was polling board members for meeting availability instead of an administrative assistant — as “sexist” because administrative staff are women.

Investigation Details and Outcome

Attorney Charles Krugel, hired by Childers despite the presence of an ethics officer and inspector general, conducted the investigation. While three board members disagreed with Burnette’s characterization of Slaughter, female staffers, including Childers, agreed. Krugel concluded Slaughter’s conduct was “unintentional sexual harassment and discriminatory,” recommending various sanctions. The board removed Slaughter from the finance committee and required two virtual meeting attendances. Sixteen staffers, reportedly fearing retaliation, signed a petition for his removal, while Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle emphasized the need for transparency and accountability.

Key Staffing Changes at HACC (2023-2025)

FAQs About the Cook County Housing Authority’s Current Issues

• What is the Housing Authority of Cook County (HACC)?
  HACC is the 14th-largest public housing authority in the U.S., managing over 1,800 units and serving more than 30,000 people in suburban Cook County.
• Why was HACC previously considered “troubled” by HUD?
  HACC was flagged by HUD for two years due to issues like failure to submit an audit and poor quality property inspections.
• What are the main issues currently facing HACC?
  Key issues include alleged unauthorized staff restructuring, high employee turnover, a reportedly negative work environment, significant spending on outside contractors, and internal investigations involving board members.
• Who is Danita Childers?
  Danita Childers is the Executive Director of the Housing Authority of Cook County, appointed in 2023, and has been central to the current internal disputes and restructuring efforts.
• How might these issues affect Cook County residents?
  Ongoing internal strife and financial concerns could jeopardize HACC’s ability to maintain its improved status, potentially leading to greater expenses for housing voucher holders and a decline in the number of people served.

For the thousands of Cook County residents relying on HACC for housing assistance, the escalating internal conflicts and questionable spending practices underscore a critical need for transparent governance and stable leadership to ensure the agency can fulfill its vital mission.

Turmoil at Cook County Housing Authority