People living on parts of Chicago's West side are in line to get a new representative in City Council ... one with a familiar name.
Mayor Johnson announced late Friday afternoon that he's selected the son of retired Ald. Walter Burnett to take over the 27th Ward seat his father left back in July.
Twenty-nine-year-old Walter "Red" Burnett is a consultant and former investment banker who moved back to Chicago in February of 2023 after working for Goldman Sachs in New York.
He was one of ten people who submitted applications to be considered for the aldermanic seat. Those applications were reviewed by a committee of community and civic leaders, including South side Alderwoman Michelle Harris (8th Ward).
In his announcement, the mayor said the younger Burnett "embodies the values, resilience and vision of the 27th Ward." If City Council confirms the mayor's choice, which is likely, he'll take over a ward that includes the planned site for Bally's permanent casino, as well as United Center and the Fulton Market district.
The mayor's announcement included a statement from "Red" Burnett, which says in part that "the opportunity to serve the 27th Ward is an immense privilege that I do not take lightly."
The elder Burnett stepped down from City Council so that Mayor Johnson could nominate him to lead the Chicago Housing Authority. The CHA Board this week put off action on that selection while federal regulators determine if a conflict-of-interest waiver is required.