Council reappoints Lisa Mitchell and Hornsby Neland to North Chicago Housing Authority after debate over outreach and chair designation

The City Council voted to reappoint Lisa Mitchell as current chairperson and Hornsby Neland as current vice chairman of the North Chicago Housing Authority, despite one alderman’s request to postpone the vote until further outreach to residents of Kugler and Thompson (manor) housing.

Councils’ action: Alderman Evans moved to approve Lisa Mitchell’s reappointment (term listed 06/20/2024–06/20/2028); Alderman Allen seconded. Alderman Coleman moved to table the item, saying he had not had an opportunity to speak with the candidates and wanted to ask what they “would do differently this term” to address conditions at Kugler and Thompson. After discussion, Coleman withdrew the motion to table; the council amended the appointment wording to confirm Mitchell as the “current chairperson” and then approved the reappointment. The final roll call on Mitchell’s appointment recorded Aldermen Allen, Ray (Wrayne), Murphy, Brooks, Jackson and Evans voting Aye and Alderman Coleman voting No; motion carried.

On the reappointment of Hornsby Neland to the housing authority as current vice chairman (term listed 11/24–11/28), Alderman Evans moved and Alderman Allen seconded; the council approved the reappointment after roll call (Ayes recorded from multiple aldermen, Coleman recorded No). The mayor and council thanked both appointees for their service.

Why it mattered: Coleman objected to moving forward without direct candidate outreach, citing concerns about housing conditions at Kugler and Thompson and saying he wanted to “speak up for those people in Coogler and in Thompson.” Other council members said the candidates had completed the packet required for appointment and that maintaining a full, certified housing authority board helps the authority remain in compliance.

What the council did not do: The council did not change the housing authority’s internal process for selecting chair and vice chair; Alderman Jackson asked whether the board itself selects its chair and vice chair, and staff explained the packet identified the current positions and the board can adjust leadership internally in the future. The council did not adopt any new directives to the housing authority regarding security, capital projects or changes to operational budgets during this meeting.

Next steps: Appointees were thanked and the appointments will be reflected in forthcoming council minutes and administrative paperwork for the North Chicago Housing Authority.