Housing authority commissioner steps down
By Bob Okon bokon@stmedianetwork.com January 16, 2013 6:20PM
Kennedy Millsap
Updated: February 19, 2013 2:18PM
JOLIET — Housing authority Commissioner Kennedy Millsap did not wait around to see which commissioners the mayor is going to keep.
Millsap has resigned from the housing authority board, the first of what is likely to be more changes in the aftermath of a negative rating by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Millsap was marking the completion of his ninth year on the board at the Housing Authority of Joliet in December when Mayor Thomas Giarrante notified him and the six other commissioners that he wanted their letters of resignation while he decided who would stay.
Millsap sent his back marked “effective immediately,” Giarrante said Wednesday.
Giarrante, who appoints board members who oversee the housing authority, said he has not decided yet how many commissioners he will replace. He said his decision will be made by the end of January.
Millsap could not be reached for comment.
Michael Simelton, interim executive director of the housing authority, said Millsap indicated to him that it was simply time to go.
“He just felt that he had served long enough — nine years,” Simelton said. “It was very basic. He just felt nine years was enough.”
The housing authority board met Wednesday — without Millsap — in what is likely its last meeting before Giarrante announces changes.
The board decided to have a plaque made for Millsap recognizing his years of service.
“He was an excellent member of the board,” Commissioner Karen Williams said. “I personally learned a lot from Mr. Millsap.”
In October, HUD, which regulates and funds the housing authority, placed the Joliet agency in “troubled” status, citing late financial statements, low occupancy rates and other issues. The “troubled” label limits HAJ development activity and requires changes in policies and practices to satisfy HUD.
