Another recently departed Chicago Housing Authority executive has received a hefty payout from the agency, marking the 10th exited senior leader to obtain a settlement in the last five years and topping off the agency\u2019s payout expenditures at more than $868,000. <\/p>\n
Ann McKenzie, CHA\u2019s former chief development officer, was terminated from her role Feb. 14, the agency disclosed in June through public records, and received roughly four and a half months of severance pay, according to her separation agreement. The Tribune first reported<\/a> her departure in February. CHA did not provide an explanation for her termination, nor do public records show any history of disciplinary action. <\/p>\n Staff transitions are \u201croutine,\u201d said CHA spokesperson Matthew Aguilar in a statement to the Tribune.<\/p>\n \u201cThese changes, whether voluntary, mutual or based on organizational needs and\/or performance expectations, ensure the agency is structured to fulfill its mission and responsibilities to the public,\u201d the statement said. \u201cCHA remains committed to continuous improvement, including actively evaluating our structure, addressing operational inefficiencies, and making strategic decisions to better serve residents now and in the future.\u201d<\/p>\n Interim CHA CEO Angela Hurlock has previously acknowledged publicly that the agency is undergoing a \u201csignificant transition.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n CHA did not respond to questions and instead provided the statement, saying it could not comment on specific personnel matters. McKenzie could not be reached for comment.\u00a0<\/p>\n CHA has been hemorrhaging staff in recent months, with eight high-ranking officials<\/a> having left the agency since August. Those staff members include the former CEO<\/a> and two others apart from McKenzie who were fired. As it reckons with the departures of these senior leaders and searches for a new CEO<\/a>, the agency has launched a series of initiatives<\/a> for 2025, with some moves meant to increase housing and safety<\/a> for residents. <\/p>\n Ryan Ross, who worked as a senior director of asset management, was terminated<\/a> for breaking agency procedures, including one that cost CHA over $19,000. Dan Cruz, CHA\u2019s former chief of staff<\/a>, was terminated Feb. 14 with McKenzie, according to the June public records request. As with McKenzie, CHA did not provide an explanation for Cruz\u2019s termination, nor do public records show any history of disciplinary action. <\/p>\n CHA declined<\/a> to provide the exact dollar amount of severance payouts collectively and for each employee. The Tribune was able to calculate approximate amounts based on the language of the agreements and other public records.<\/p>\n Each of the 10 employees received at least two months of compensation at the approximate salary level they had on their last day of work, a Tribune analysis of CHA records shows. Seven of the agreements were signed between August 2024 and April 2025. <\/p>\n The Tribune calculated McKenzie\u2019s payout to be about $81,070 based on the terms outlined in her separation agreement. McKenzie will also start to receive monthly retirement benefits at age 65 of around $3,120 that are subject to cost-of-living adjustments per her agreement. <\/p>\n Cruz received about $70,820, according to his separation agreement and based on Tribune calculations. Eric Garrett, who oversaw Ross\u2019 department as CHA\u2019s chief operating officer, resigned Jan. 3 and received around $87,200<\/a> per his separation agreement and Tribune calculations. Ellen Harris, CHA\u2019s former general counsel, resigned in August, after allegations from staff that she created a \u201ctoxic work culture.\u201d<\/a> She received, according to her separation agreement and Tribune calculations, around $63,270<\/a>. <\/p>\n Ald. Matt Martin, 47th, who chairs the City Council\u2019s Committee on Ethics and Government Oversight, called the payouts \u201cconcerning\u201d in April when the Tribune first reported<\/a> the five-year sum, particularly the deals with Garrett and Harris, who had written warnings. \u00a0<\/p>\n The housing authority is expected<\/a> to choose a new CEO this summer. <\/p>\n