Ald. Walter Redmond Burnett (27) is sworn into office on Thursday, Sept. 25, 2025 accompanied by his father, former Ald. Walter Burnett Jr. [Livestream]

The City Council on Thursday voted unanimously to confirm former Ald. Walter Burnett Jr.’s son, Walter “Red” Burnett, as the next alderperson of the 27th Ward. 

After being sworn in, Burnett told his new colleagues that he was ready to get work and excited to join the council. 

The new alderperson’s appointment was approved 47-0 in City Council following a voice vote that approved Burnett’s appointment in the Committee on Committees and Rules. The council also approved a measure to add Burnett to the same committees that his father sat on when he left, although he will not chair the zoning committee as the former alderman did. 

The 27th Ward includes Goose Island, the Illinois Medical District, parts of West Loop, including Fulton Market, and parts of Humboldt Park and East Garfield Park.  

“I grew up roaming the halls of this building itself, learning a lot about what it means to be a public servant and learning what it really means to be in service of our community,” Burnett said during the rules committee meeting. 

Burnett spent five years at Goldman Sachs in NYC as an acquisition associate for real estate and as an investment banking analyst. He's currently a principal at Hannibal Valley Company, a real estate and hospitality consulting firm, after moving back to Chicago in 2022.  

His father, who served for 30 years as alderman and had served as vice mayor since Johnson entered office, had been pushing for his son to succeed him on the City Council before he even stepped down earlier this year. 

The new alderperson was recommended for confirmation by Mayor Brandon Johnson following a competitive selection committee process that included community leaders from the ward.  

The council delayed planned votes on measures that would have reportedly included appointing Ald. Emma Mitts (37) as the city's new vice mayor and appointing a new slate of committee chairs.