Longtime civil rights leader and public servant brings more than three decades of experience advancing equity, inclusion, and human rights in Chicago.
CHICAGO — Today, Mayor Brandon Johnson announced his appointment of Kenneth Gunn as Commissioner of the Chicago Commission on Human Relations (CCHR). A respected civil rights attorney and longtime public servant, Gunn brings more than 35 years of experience in human rights enforcement, anti-discrimination law, community relations, and public administration to the role.
“Kenneth Gunn has devoted more than three decades to protecting civil rights, strengthening communities, and ensuring every Chicagoan is treated with dignity and respect,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson. “His deep experience, steady leadership, and unwavering commitment to justice has helped shape Chicago’s approach to human relations and civil rights enforcement for a generation. I am confident Kenneth is well-suited to continue our shared-work building a city where every resident feels safe, valued, can fully participate in the life of our city”
The CCHR serves as the City’s civil rights agency, investigating and adjudicating complaints of discrimination, supporting victims of hate crimes, mediating community tensions, and providing education and training to promote understanding across Chicago’s diverse communities.
“It is an honor to serve as Commissioner of the Chicago Commission on Human Relations,” said Kenneth Gunn. “For more than three decades, I have had the privilege of working alongside residents, advocates, community leaders, and public servants committed to advancing civil rights and fostering understanding across our city. I look forward to continuing that work and strengthening our efforts to ensure every Chicagoan is treated fairly, welcomed, and able to fully participate in the life of our city.”
Gunn currently serves as Acting Commissioner of the CCHR, a position he assumed in March 2026. Prior to that appointment, he served as First Deputy Commissioner, a role he held since 2000, while also leading the agency during multiple leadership transitions.
Over the course of more than three decades with the Commission, Gunn has helped lead Chicago’s efforts to enforce anti-discrimination protections, support victims of hate crimes, strengthen community relations, and advance civil rights protections for residents. He has worked closely with the Mayor’s Office and City Council to strengthen protections related to employment and housing discrimination, disability rights, LGBTQ+ rights, sexual harassment, gender-based violence, and opportunities for returning residents.
Gunn has also served as Chair of the Cook County Commission on Human Rights, where he helped advance landmark policies expanding fair housing protections and strengthening workplace rights for residents across Cook County.
Before joining the CCHR, Gunn served as an Assistant Public Guardian with the Office of the Cook County Public Guardian, representing abused and neglected children and advocating for their access to safe homes, health care, education, and supportive services.
A graduate of the University of Illinois, Gunn earned both his Bachelor of Arts in History and Juris Doctor degree from the institution. He is a recognized leader in the human rights field and remains actively involved in civic and community organizations focused on conflict resolution, fair housing, civil rights, and community development.
Mayor Johnson’s appointment is subject to approval by the City Council.