Politics
Walter ‘Red’ Burnett Confirmed as 27th Ward Alderperson by Chicago City Council
Walter Redmond Burnett is sworn in as 27th Ward alderperson on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025. (Heather Cherone / WTTW News)
The Chicago City Council voted unanimously Thursday to confirm Walter Redmond Burnett as 27th Ward alderperson, replacing his father, former Ald. Walter Burnett, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s pick to lead the Chicago Housing Authority.
The 29-year-old, who is better known as Red, was immediately sworn in to office on a Bible held by his father, who represented parts of the West Side and the West Loop for 30 years on the Chicago City Council before he stepped down in July.
The younger Burnett now has a significant leg up in the next election — set for February 2027. It also ensures the continuation of a political dynasty that includes Burnett’s older son, state Rep. Jawaharial “Omar” Williams (D-Chicago). Burnett is now the youngest member of the City Council.
Burnett’s confirmation was delayed by nearly two hours as alderpeople wrangled behind the scenes over who should replace former Ald. Burnett as vice mayor and the chair of the Zoning Committee, one of the most powerful city panels.
Johnson picked Ald. Daniel LaSpata (1st Ward) to serve as Zoning Committee chair and Ald. Emma Mitts (37th Ward) as vice mayor, setting off a domino effect.
LaSpata’s elevation to Zoning Committee chair would leave a vacancy at the head of the Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee. Ald. Andre Vasquez (40th Ward) was set to take that spot, with Ald. Jessie Fuentes (26th Ward) replacing Vasquez as chair of the Immigrant and Refugee Rights Committee.
It would be unprecedented for a rookie alderperson to serve as a committee chair. Fuentes is in her first term on the City Council.
Ald. David Moore (17th Ward) had been tapped to replace Mitts as head of the Contracting Oversight and Equity Committee.
As the alderperson of the 27th Ward, Burnett will oversee the construction and planned opening of the city’s new casino, sandwiched between the Cabrini-Green complex and the gentrifying West Loop in River West.
Burnett is also now in charge of shepherding a $7 billion plan that promises to transform the 55 acres of parking lots and vacant land surrounding the United Center into 9,500 new homes, 1,309 hotel rooms, a music hall and public space.
Burnett is the latest person to be picked by Chicago’s mayor to replace their retiring father on the City Council. In 2013, former Mayor Rahm Emanuel tapped Deb Mell to replace her father, former Ald. Dick Mell. Former Ald. Deb Mell lost her bid for reelection in 2019.
Ald. Monique Scott replaced her brother as 24th Ward alderperson before winning a full term in office in 2023. Former Ald. Michael Scott is now a Cook County commissioner.
Efforts by the CHA board to confirm the senior Burnett have been delayed after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development warned the board not to appoint the former alderperson without a waiver of his conflicts of interest, officials said.
Contact Heather Cherone: @HeatherCherone | (773) 569-1863 | [email protected]
