Mayor Brandon Johnson is appointing Walter \u201cRed\u201d Burnett to the City Council seat vacated by Burnett\u2019s father, the mayor\u2019s administration said Friday.<\/p>\n
Burnett\u2019s appointment to the 27th Ward seat must be approved by aldermen, a vote expected this month. Once confirmed, the 29-year-old will take the office held for 30 years by his father, former Ald. Walter Burnett Jr.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 27th Ward deserves a leader who is well-attuned to the challenges we face as we continue to grow and strengthen our communities,\u201d Johnson said in a news release announcing the decision. \u201cRed embodies the values, resilience, and vision of the 27th Ward. With his long-standing commitment to public service, equity, and young people, I have no doubt he will be a dedicated and effective advocate of his community.<\/p>\n
The younger Burnett will lead a ward that stretches from Cabrini Green and the future Bally\u2019s Casino site to the soaring Fulton Market district and struggling Garfield Park.<\/p>\n
Burnett, who grew up near Union Park in a powerful political family, formerly worked for Goldman Sachs before moving back to Chicago three years ago, where he has since consulted for developers, restaurants, retailers and entrepreneurs. He thanked Johnson and said the appointment is \u201can immense privilege that I do not take lightly\u201d in the news release.<\/p>\n
\u201cThroughout my professional journey I\u2019ve maintained a steadfast commitment to community advancement \u2014 working alongside civic leaders, private sector partners, and grassroots organizations to deliver projects that generate lasting impact and serve the public good,\u201d he wrote. \u201cThis foundation informs my continued commitment to ensuring our neighborhoods remain vibrant, inclusive, and positioned for sustainable success.\u201d<\/p>\n
The clear front-runner since his father announced his resignation in July, Burnett previously told the Tribune<\/a> top focuses will be expanding summer jobs and activities for teens and adding density in the West Side. He added that he hopes to balance bringing fresh perspective and maintaining stability in the office last held by Chicago\u2019s longest-serving alderman.<\/p>\n \u201cA big piece of what I think this role is is just making sure that people feel heard and understanding that my opinion isn\u2019t really the only opinion I\u2019m representing,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Johnson announced the news late Friday as many Chicagoans were preoccupied with the impending federal incursion or already logged off for the week. The mayor\u2019s decision comes after many observers pegged the former alderman\u2019s son as the frontrunner to inherit the seat.<\/p>\n Burnett is far from the first Chicagoan to take the political seat of a parent. Several City Council progressives complained about the last such appointment some years ago, Ald. Deb Mell<\/a>, who took her father\u2019s seat, but the now-larger progressive contingency has remained mum on Burnett\u2019s long-expected appointment.<\/p>\n Burnett Jr. proved to be one of Johnson\u2019s most critical allies as the two worked in City Hall together. He served as vice mayor, chair of the powerful Zoning Committee and as an unofficial, but essential peacemaker for Johnson.<\/p>\n Asked Friday about what it means to see his son take his seat, Burnett Jr. recalled getting ready for church when his son was around 5 years old. The older Burnett would put on a top hat, a black suit, a red tie and a red handkerchief.<\/p>\n \u201cHe told his mama he wanted to wear a suit and tie too. He was dressing like me and the deacon,\u201d he said. \u201cWhat else could a father wish for.\u201d<\/p>\n