Arts leaders frustrated by DCASE chief

Why it matters: The absence follows growing concerns in the arts community over issues including the loss of a quarter of the DCASE staff since Hedspeth arrived last year, reports of a toxic work environment, accusations of bullying by the commissioner and the online removal of DCASE public records logs.

• CAC leaders have also complained about a lack of communication with Hedspeth.

What they're saying: "At a time when there's been so much public attention to the relationship between the commissioner and artists and the CAC and the public, [the absence] is not a great look," CAC chair Coya Paz told Axios.

• "This relationship doesn't have to be antagonistic. We're all here to collaborate because we care about the same things, and I think that there's a growing gap that I think could be easily addressed with some simple communication tools."
• During public comment, Joanna Furnans, the executive director of Chicago Dancemakers Forum, expressed "deep concern for what is reported to be toxic and dysfunctional behavior inside" DCASE and asked for the "commissioner and/or council" to "give us a sense of how these issues will be addressed."

The other side: DCASE officials did not respond to Axios' requests for comment on Hedspeth's absence or most other issues.

• They did, however, say they removed the department's public records request log "due to privacy concerns."

What's next: Council members asked DCASE to come up with a plan to better utilize and communicate with the CAC before their next meeting in June.