Clinée Hedspeth

Clinée Hedspeth is an American former government worker for the city of Chicago, publicly recognized for her short and controversial tenure as the commissioner of the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE). Appointed by her college friend and then Chicago mayor Brandon Johnson, Hedspeth served in her role from March 2024 until her resignation in September of 2025 – being placed on the “ineligible for rehire” list by the mayor’s office.

Public controversies Reportedly, Hedspeth's first months on duty were marked with formal complaints and staff turnover. City record investigations and anonymous employee statements to the press fueled a season-long news cycle alleging the department commissioner expected high-ranking staffers to carry her belongings, walk her dog and accompany her at public events in ways they described as resembling a personal entourage. DCASE's staffing issues first gained public attention with the firing of Chicago's Film Office director Jonah Zeigler by Hedspeth – a decision she took following a record-setting year for the city in film/TV production revenue and the acquisition of an inaugural satellite event in Chicago for the Sundance Film Festival, all achieved under Zeigler's leadership.

Reported controversies published by local media regarding Hedspeth's internal directives and staff interactions were compounded by a public outcry against the department presenting an exhibit accused of being antisemitic within their own office building at the Chicago Cultural Center. While Hedspeth refused to remove the artworks in question at the time, upon a formal complaint written to the mayor and a majority vote by city council, the exhibition was sunsetted two months before Hedspeth's resignation.

Hedspeth's behavior as DCASE commissioner – a role that traditionally was either presented positively or non-regarded by local press – found unusual public attention after a meeting of the city's Cultural Advisory Council (CAC) in February of 2025. A quarterly session open to the public, the event was widely attended by local cultural leaders and patrons in response to recent publications made about delayed grant payments unfulfilled by DCASE under Hedspeth's direction. After recorded public statements and council member requests for explanation, Hedspeth attended the meeting via teleconference, streaming from another room at the same building in which the meeting was held. Hedspeth noted a "hard stop" after three minutes of statements and took no questions before signing off. Regional reactions made light of the display online, as Hedspeth physically attended the following CAC meeting in June of 2025 although barring her own staffers from attending the public meeting and leaving before taking any questions.

Harassment Allegations and Record Obstruction The February 2025 CAC meeting that was electronically attended by Hedspeth took place just several days after a Chicago Sun-Times piece written by Elsa Hiltner recorded her and other reporters' experiences in attempting to find DCASE's information request log, protected to be publicly available under the Freedom of Information Act (United States).

Months-long investigations from regional and national press revealed several instances of reported bullying, harassment and sexual misconduct allegations against Hedspeth. and requesting an employee "put on a thick accent so it's hard to understand you" at a city council meeting, among others.

Petition/Resignation In April 2025, a second formal statement was made to local government against Hedspeth, this time in the form of a petition directed to mayor Brandon Johnson requesting transparency in regards to DCASE's delays in grant payments, staff turnover and apparent lack of communication with the city's cultural advisory committee. The public petition was organized by an Instagram account handled as @artistsforchicago and was signed by several hundred Chicago-based artists across various disciplines, local wards and stages in career. The former Chicago employee told press in a statement that she's considering suing the city due to her treatment from Johnson's staff while employed.

Personal A self-described "professional culturalist", Hedspeth attended Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois. Hedspeth said she planned to return to the private sector and lead a foundation.