NEAR WEST SIDE — After two weeks of deliberation, Walter Redmond Burnett has been introduced as Mayor Brandon Johnson’s appointment as twenty seventh Ward alderman.
Mayor Brandon Johnson introduced Friday that he’s choosing Walter Redmond — or “Purple” — Burnett to fill the position after his personal father, Ald. Walter Burnett (twenty seventh) resigned in July after 30 years in workplace.
“The twenty seventh Ward deserves a frontrunner who’s well-attuned to the challenges we face as we proceed to develop and strengthen our communities,” Mayor Brandon Johnson mentioned in a press release Friday. “Purple embodies the values, resilience and imaginative and prescient of the twenty seventh Ward. Along with his long-standing dedication to public service, fairness and younger folks, I’ve little question he might be a devoted and efficient advocate of his group.”
Johnson’s choose must be confirmed by Metropolis Council earlier than. The subsequent assembly is Sept. 25.
The method to fill the vacant position kicked off final month, giving candidates every week to submit their resume, cowl letter and three letters of advice from numerous group leaders or residents. Seven candidates efficiently submitted their functions for the place.
Johnson’s choose comes after a hand-picked choice committee — consisting of Ald. Michelle Harris (eighth) and three different twenty seventh Ward group members with shut ties to the previous alderman — advisable a candidate to him.
In a press release accompanying Friday’s announcement, the youthful Burnett referred to as the chance to serve the twenty seventh Ward an “immense privilege that I don’t take flippantly.”
“All through my skilled journey I’ve maintained a steadfast dedication to group development—working alongside civic leaders, non-public sector companions, and grassroots organizations to ship initiatives that generate lasting impression and serve the general public good,” Walter Redmond Burnett mentioned. “This basis informs my continued dedication to making sure our neighborhoods stay vibrant, inclusive, and positioned for sustainable success.”
Walter Redmond Burnett grew up within the twenty seventh Ward and graduated from Whitney Younger Magnet Excessive Faculty. He spent almost a decade in New York, together with 5 years at Goldman Sachs as an funding banking and actual property affiliate, earlier than founding Hannibal Valley, a consulting agency centered on hospitality, actual property, leisure and monetary literacy packages. Since returning to Chicago in 2022, he has volunteered on native political campaigns and accomplished a management fellowship with The Black Bench Chicago.
Dick Simpson, professor emeritus on the College of Illinois Chicago and former alderperson, beforehand informed Block Membership the method to fill the twenty seventh Ward emptiness gave the impression to be “a rigged case of a nepotism appointment,” as Walter Redmond Burnett was already anticipated to be tapped for the place.
Chicago is an outlier from many different main cities the place the sitting mayor will get to nominate somebody to fill a emptiness, moderately than the place being stuffed by means of a particular election like in New York Metropolis, Houston and Philadelphia. Town of Los Angeles can select to nominate moderately than have a particular election if particular necessities are met.
Mayoral appointments include a serious electoral benefit. Simpson estimates that roughly 80 to 90 p.c of appointees go on to win their first election. Simpson famous that loyalty to the mayor is mostly anticipated from these chosen.
If confirmed by Metropolis Council later this month, Walter Redmond Burnett would be the youngest alderperson at present on the council. He’ll preserve his appointment till the subsequent common election in 2027.
Hearken to the Block Membership Chicago podcast:
