A vital Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) meeting took an unexpected turn when a board member, Francine Washington, openly declared that she was in desperate need of s*x.
According to a report by the Office of the Inspector General, Washington made the graphic remark—saying she “needed to get laid”—in front of fellow agency staff, sparking widespread discomfort.
Mail Online reports that Washington was also accused of engaging in a sexually explicit conversation during the session and allegedly criticised a lawyer’s tone toward a union representative, attributing it to “white privilege.”
Following the incident, CHA Interim Board Chair Matthew Brewer met with Washington, who reportedly assured him that such behaviour would not be repeated.
Washington, however, stated she does not recall the specifics of that exchange and suspects the human resources manager, who was allegedly frustrated by her questioning of the agency’s processes, reported her.
“Everyone on the board knows me,” Washington said. “I don’t change with the weather. I care deeply for my community and would never harm the residents or the authority.”
Appointed to the CHA Board of Commissioners in 2014, Washington also serves as President of the Central Advisory Council and the Washington Park Local Advisory Committee, in addition to sitting on several high-level boards.
The report also highlighted the absence of a formal sexual harassment policy within the CHA, recommending that one be created.
Brewer supported the recommendation, noting that commissioners have received annual ethics and harassment training for years.
In response, the CHA stated it is committed to maintaining a respectful and ethical workplace for all stakeholders, and while it declined to comment on individual personnel matters, emphasised that it treats all misconduct allegations seriously.
