Politics
Same Name, New Legacy: Ald. Walter ‘Red’ Burnett on His New Role and Development in the West Loop
Walter Redmond Burnett recently took office representing the 27th Ward on the Chicago City Council.
His appointment by Mayor Brandon Johnson came as his father, the former Ald. Walter Burnett, was tapped to lead the Chicago Housing Authority. That confirmation has been delayed after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development warned the board not to appoint the former alderperson before it could review his potential conflicts of interest, officials said.
The 29-year-old Walter “Red” Burnett was confirmed Sept. 25, officially making him the youngest member of the City Council. Burnett says he is charting a new path for the 27th Ward, overseeing several development projects and addressing affordability for longtime residents.
On serving as an alderperson:
“I did grow up in the 27th Ward, everywhere from East Garfield Park to the Near West Side, where my family’s home is, to doing activities in Old Town and the Near West Side. I can say that I appreciated the service that my father and mother and my brother as well — as elected officials — put into the community. I can’t say that I initially wanted to be an elected official. It’s a lot of work. It’s a huge responsibility and I was really excited about the opportunity to go off to school and study business and get into the professional world. It came upon me when the opportunity struck, that it would be a good opportunity to get back to my city in a time of need.”
On if he’s the right fit:
“I believe that I have a unique perspective on what this ward was and is and the ability to connect the dots between multiple generations that have played a part in shaping what it is today. And it’s super important to understand the multiple communities that reflect the 27th Ward from the histories of Cabrini Green in the Near North Side to the challenges of East Garfield Park as well as the booming direction of the West Loop and the Fulton Market district. The new demographic in that particular pocket of the ward is very young, creative, engaged, educated and that community will face a different set of issues that the community prior to them have before. So, I look forward to the opportunity to help everyone transition through the next decade plus.”
On the critique of favoritism and the “Chicago Way”:
“I understand the critique. It is a very natural one and one that is truly fair. I will counter with my connectivity to the 27th Ward Organization, which just isn’t my father and his participation in the org, but mentors and guiding figures like former Secretary of State Jessie White, as well as my brother, who is a state representative and numerous other elected officials who’ve come through our organization over time. And my ability to connect with them and have them as mentors and guiding figures across my life. I take a ton of respect and responsibility that was put upon me to making sure that the organization continues to thrive. But I’ve also had the experience of leaving Chicago and working in a professional world to understand how the broader sense of our business community thinks, and I think it’s even more important that we figure out a way to combine the two perspectives of the local community and a growing important business community to support our ward.”
On his previous experience:
“We are going through a cycle where our budget financing for the city is very critical. Municipalities across the country are suffering from what is a COVID recovery that is probably taking too long. And it requires us to have thorough analysis of what’s going on with the way that we manage our money and possibly present possible new revenue opportunities. My background in both in investment banking and real estate private equity and real estate consulting presents a unique perspective on how we can continue to make (the) 27th Ward an economic driver for the city of Chicago, and so I’m looking forward to working with all the partners to figure how we continue to grow our economy but also to take care of the individuals who need the most help.”
On the Bally’s Casino and gentrification:
“The casino project that Bally’s is bringing to the city will definitely change the River West community pretty drastically, and you’re already starting to see some of that impact with the construction that’s going on Chicago and Halsted. And so it’s extremely important that we continue to support those local businesses that have been there for decades, as well as the constituents who tend to reside there. Now, we’re working together with the community to hear out what their concerns are and what needs they have, and how they’re looking to continue to develop around the casino and as well as figure out new ways to create new affordable housing and sustainable structures for those who own to stay in that neighborhood.”
On top priorities:
“Top priority is making sure that the ward continues to stay affordable. And we’re already seeing some of those challenges in the West Loop, but we need to protect the remaining parts of our ward that families want to live in, and make sure that they have an accessible and affordable place for them to both live, work and play. So that’s rule No. 1. The second is definitely getting into this budget and making sure it’s not damaging to the families and the hard-working people that continue to support our economy.”
