04.12.16 – Chicago, IL – Headshots of CEO Eugene Jones, Jr.
Who is this man? And why should you care? Eugene Jones Jr., the current CHA CEO pictured above, was a no-show at the May 2nd CAPS meeting. After confirming at 4PM he would attend the CAPS meeting, Jones failed to attend. Instead Jones sent Anthony Powell, CHA Security Director. And Eric Cato, Kates Detective & Security, Senior Director to take the heat from the crowd. Residents’ anger has reached an all-time high with the uptick in weekly gang shootings, murders and public street vigils to honor their gang members slain on Sheridan Park streets.
Residents’ anger and frustration stems from the gangs’ growing violence and gun battles on our streets—even though it’s a known fact many of the gangs operate out of identified CHA and Voice of the People properties. One of the worst properties is CHA 4425 N Malden where the Sims brothers have terrorized the neighborhood for years. For years. The oldest Sims brother, Greg Sims, was shot to death on September 6, 2016, on Wilson and Kenmore. The Sims 18 year old twin brothers, James and Jabri, have taken the Black P Stone gang leader reins. And continue to operate their gang HQ out of CHA 4425 N Malden.
Over and over, residents made their pleas for solutions. One of the most passionate stories was told by a woman who lives in the CHA 4425 N Malden property. As she began, her voice and anxiety increasing, pointing to Eric Kato and Anthony Powell, “I can’t let my children play outside. I am at the hospital all the time for my high blood pressure. I don’t sleep at night with the gangs constantly coming and going, slamming the gate and conducting their business all night long. I have talked to you and everyone in the office to do something. And nothing gets done.”
So why has the CHA failed so abysmally to honor its mandate of well managed, safe housing? And deal effectively by evicting tenants like the Sims who are not compliant with their lease? The CHA has a long history of poor leadership and management turnover. Eugene Jones is but the latest CHA CEO who apparently lacks the leadership skills to tackle deeply endemic management issues.
Jones was nominated as acting CHA CEO by Mayor Rahm Emanuel in June 2014—despite the fact that just one year earlier Jones was forced out of his job as Toronto Community Housing Corporation CEO. A scathing 111-page report cited Jones’ “abject failure of leadership” with multiple examples for his ousting. Click here to read Toronto Star article—Gene Jones to lead Chicago Housing Authority.
Why did Emanuel appoint Jones as acting CHA CEO after Toronto Community Housing let him go?
Ironically—in the middle of the night following this CAPS meeting. A series of gun shots once again blasted our neighborhood at 1:30 am.
This time, gang members on the porch of Voice of the People 4431 N Racine property, returned gun fire to rival gang members shooting at them from the street. Police arrived quickly, but were not able to enter the property because the gang members sitting on the Voice of People porch would not let them enter. Turns out one of the 4431 N Racine tenants sons was recently released from prison and moved back in with mom.
~ How do we change tactics and stand up for our rights to live in a peaceful community?
~ How do we hold the CHA and Voice of the People accountable?
~ Time to demand a full housing inventory in Sheridan Park? Yes.
~ Time to demand full compliance and enforcement of tenant leases? Yes
Coming in our next GWNA newsletter…
Short survey on proposed Wilson Ave changes and businesses
Save the date for Sheridan Park Block Club party and Yard Sale
Graceland-Wilson Neighbors Association 
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