A retired Chicago alderman's bid for his next job is in a holding pattern, as federal authorities look into whether he can serve in that position.
Veteran West side alderman Walter Burnett Jr. stepped down from the Chicago City Council back in July, so that Mayor Brandon Johnson could appoint him to lead the Chicago Housing Authority.
"Thank you for the honor of a young kid who made a mistake -- grew up in the projects -- to be who I am today," a tearful Burnett told his colleagues at the end of the July 16 City Council meeting.
But on Tuesday, members of the CHA board agreed to put off a vote on Burnett's appointment while regulators look into whether his appointment may need an official waiver of federal conflict of interest rules.
The issues deal with the numerous CHA-related votes Burnett took during his years as an alderman, as well as reports in the Tribune that he and his wife own three rental properties which have tenants receiving HUD assistance.
Temporary board chair Matthew Brewer told commissioners that "it's an unusual and unfortunate situation" which they expect will be short-term: "We are working with the city, and ... plan to have a CEO announcement in the next couple weeks."
It's more uncertainty for the agency that's been without a permanent CEO since last fall. The most recent interim CEO, former board chair Angela Hurlock, stepped down during Tuesday's meeting, and commissioners gave Brewer CEO duties until a vote on a new chief.