Latest news with #WalterBurnett
Chicago Tribune
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
The Tribune's Quotes of the Week quiz for July 19
Temperatures cooled down in Chicago this week, but there was plenty of heat at City Hall. Mayor Brandon Johnson's granny flat ordinance was stalled by opponents, efforts to override the mayor's veto of a teen curfew rule failed and City Council members began jockeying to be the next Zoning Committee chair as Ald. Walter Burnett vacates the position at the end of the month. The midterm election may seem far away, but many races are well underway. U.S. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who is running for Sen. Dick Durbin's soon-to-be-empty seat, is already airing ads. The Cook County Democratic Party began issuing endorsements (or in some cases, no endorsements) this week. Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza appears to be eyeing a second mayoral bid after announcing her decision to not to run for reelection as the state's top fiscal officer. And in the very crowded primary for Illinois' 9th Congressional District, Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss earned the support of fellow progressive Sen. Elizabeth Warren. On Thursday, hundreds of people took to the streets in Chicago and in cities across the nation to protest President Donald Trump and his policies. Meanwhile, the president — still facing criticism over his handling of records in the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking case — asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to unseal grand jury transcripts, and the House scrambled to put forward a resolution calling for transparency regarding the Epstein files. It wasn't a great week for national media. Congress approved $1.1 billion in cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which will impact NPR, PBS and hundreds of other locally-operated television and radio stations across the country. 'The Late Show With Stephen Colbert' was also canceled by CBS, with the host announcing Thursday that the final episode will air in May 2026. Plus, it was a week full of All-Stars. The MLB's Midsummer Classic was Tuesday, and Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong made his All-Star debut alongside a slew of other youngsters and rookies on the winning National League team. And in the midst of collective bargaining negotiations with players, the WNBA is hosting their All-Star festivities. If you're looking for something to do this weekend, take your crew out for a slice of the city's newest delicacy: the Chicago Dog Deep Dish pizza, a collaboration between Lou Malnati's and Portillo's. Well that's it for this week! Now for the fun stuff. Here's the Tribune's Quotes of the Week quiz for July 13 to 19. Missed last week? You can find it here or check out our past editions of Quotes of the Week.
Axios
17-07-2025
- Business
- Axios
Burnett's City Council era set to end, but his legacy still unfolding
Ald. Walter Burnett (27th) wore sunglasses and clutched a box of tissues Wednesday as his colleagues in the City Council bid him farewell after 30 years in office. The big picture: Burnett, the longest-serving alder in the council, is stepping down this month with his eyes set on taking over as CEO of the Chicago Housing Authority. What he said: "I hope I made you proud," Burnett, holding back tears, said in his farewell speech. Zoom in: The 61-year-old also serves as vice mayor and chairman of the Committee on Zoning, Landmarks, and Building Standards. Burnett grew up in the Cabrini-Green housing development, which he believes makes him a natural to lead the CHA. Reality check: Burnett's story may make him a suitable candidate to run public housing in Chicago, but his record with housing issues is more complicated. Flashback: Earlier in his career, Burnett, who has always been a staunch supporter of whoever is mayor, served as a cheerleader for Mayor Richard M. Daley and the CHA's Plan for Transformation. This plan was to demolish public housing high-rises like Cabrini-Green and the Robert Taylor Homes and rebuild new mixed-income public housing. While Burnett helped usher in building new complexes like Westhaven Park on the West Side (replacing Henry Horner Homes), tens of thousands of residents who were displaced never returned. The plan was supposed to be finished within a decade, but most of its initiatives have still not been completed. Burnett's 27th ward includes the West Loop, which has had intense private development leading to affordability issues over the past decade. Some neighborhood advocates have accused Burnett of cozying up to developers, although Burnett countered by telling developers they had to hire minority workers if they wanted projects in his ward. State of play: Mayor Brandon Johnson will appoint Burnett's successor in the 27th ward, and Burnett's pushing his son to replace him. It's unclear if Johnson will select a successor for Burnett as vice mayor, but he will appoint a replacement for the chair of the Zoning Committee, and it hasn't been easy for him to get council confirmation in the past. The intrigue: Burnett's exit will make Ald. Anthony Beale (9th) the longest-serving lawmaker in the City Council. Beale began in 1999. The bottom line: Burnett will be remembered for his role in several City Councils over his 30-year career, but his legacy on how he has impacted the city is far from finished.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Zoning Committee defers action on massive River West apartment complex, as labor unions press developer for an agreement
The City Council's Zoning Committee took no action Tuesday on a controversial $1.1 billion proposal to develop several thousand riverfront apartments just north of where Bally's Corp. is building its permanent Chicago casino. The deferral sets up a possible up-or-down vote by the full City Council on June 20 for Vancouver-based Onni Group, which wants to build several skyscrapers up to 650 feet tall on a bend in the Chicago River at 700 W. Chicago Ave. The proposed River West project would involve a total of 2,451 residences, including nearly 500 affordable units. The influential Service Employees International Union Local 1, a 50,000-member union that represents janitors, security officers and door staff at many Chicago-area buildings, currently opposes the development. The group wants a labor peace agreement with Onni, making it easier to organize staff at the company's Chicago buildings, before endorsing the massive development. Other unions in the construction trades support Onni's proposal. Ald. Walter Burnett, 27th, chair of the Zoning Committee, said he had held off holding a vote on Onni's proposal ever since the Chicago Plan Commission approved it last June, hoping the parties would forge an agreement. 'Everybody, they're playing chicken, we're in the middle of a chicken game,' he said Tuesday. The development site is in Burnett's ward, and he supported it at the 2024 Plan Commission meeting. Onni Group is using a rare procedure, authorized by a 2022 zoning reform, that allows some developers proposing large amounts of affordable housing to sidestep the Zoning Committee and secure a full City Council vote. The company sent a letter on April 21 to Burnett requesting the committee take up the proposal, called Halsted Landing. If no action is taken in 60 days, it gets a vote at the June 20 City Council meeting. The Zoning Committee is scheduled to meet next Tuesday, but according to the published agenda, it's a special meeting where members will discuss an environmental ordinance backed by Mayor Brandon Johnson and no votes will be taken. Richard Klawiter, a DLA Piper attorney representing Onni, outlined for committee members the benefits of giving the project a green light. In addition to the much-needed affordable housing, Onni would contribute about $26 million to city programs such as the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund, eventually pay tens of millions in property taxes, and create thousands of construction jobs. The company had agreed to the union's demand for a neutrality agreement but balked at providing contact information for employees, including names and addresses, and the Zoning Committee was not the place to settle the yearlong dispute, Klawiter said. 'This is not the National Labor Relations Board, but rather, the Committee on Zoning,' he said. A union spokesperson on Tuesday said SEIU Local 1 does not have a comment at this time. There was some confusion during the committee hearing. When Onni's proposal came up for discussion, Burnett was in the room behind council chambers speaking with Jason Lee, a senior adviser to Johnson. Council members typically defer to the local alderman when it comes to development decisions, a tradition known as 'aldermanic prerogative,' and several said they were reluctant to discuss the matter. 'I would recommend we hold this until we hear from the chairman,' said Ald. Anthony Beale, 9th. Burnett returned only after discussion on the development was paused, ran through the rest of the meeting's agenda, but then adjourned the meeting without recalling Onni's proposal. The Onni Group did not immediately return a message seeking comment. The 2022 zoning reform, known as the Connected Communities Ordinance, overhauled city zoning law. It allows developers proposing large amounts of affordable housing in high-cost areas such as River West another way to secure approvals if they hit political roadblocks. They need to hold a community meeting in the affected neighborhood, which Onni did in January, and send a letter to the Zoning Committee chair requesting a vote, starting the 60-day timetable. Sterling Bay is the only other developer to choose this route. It held a community meeting in January in Lincoln Park, and said it wanted to use Connected Communities to secure approval for its plan to construct 615 units in a pair of skyscrapers at 1840 N. Marcey St. near the CTA's Red Line. Local Ald. Scott Waguespack, 32nd, has said he opposes the project because many neighbors say it's out-of-scale with the surrounding neighborhood. Burnett was coy after the Zoning Committee meeting about whether he would support Onni next month, or whether enough council members would be willing to buck the unions. 'I don't know what the City Council is doing,' he said. 'The unions are lobbying everybody. So, people are conflicted. Everybody hopes they can work it out.'
Chicago Tribune
20-05-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
Zoning Committee defers action on massive River West apartment complex, as labor unions press developer for an agreement
The City Council's Zoning Committee took no action Tuesday on a controversial $1.1 billion proposal to develop several thousand riverfront apartments just north of where Bally's Corp. is building its permanent Chicago casino. The deferral sets up a possible up-or-down vote by the full City Council on June 20 for Vancouver-based Onni Group, which wants to build several skyscrapers up to 650 feet tall on a bend in the Chicago River at 700 W. Chicago Ave. The proposed River West project would involve a total of 2,451 residences, including nearly 500 affordable units. The influential Service Employees International Union Local 1, a 50,000-member union that represents janitors, security officers and door staff at many Chicago-area buildings, currently opposes the development. The group wants a labor peace agreement with Onni, making it easier to organize staff at the company's Chicago buildings, before endorsing the massive development. Other unions in the construction trades support Onni's proposal. Ald. Walter Burnett, 27th, chair of the Zoning Committee, said he had held off holding a vote on Onni's proposal ever since the Chicago Plan Commission approved it last June, hoping the parties would forge an agreement. 'Everybody, they're playing chicken, we're in the middle of a chicken game,' he said Tuesday. The development site is in Burnett's ward, and he supported it at the 2024 Plan Commission meeting. Onni Group is using a rare procedure, authorized by a 2022 zoning reform, that allows some developers proposing large amounts of affordable housing to sidestep the Zoning Committee and secure a full City Council vote. The company sent a letter on April 21 to Burnett requesting the committee take up the proposal, called Halsted Landing. If no action is taken in 60 days, it gets a vote at the June 20 City Council meeting. The Zoning Committee is scheduled to meet next Tuesday, but according to the published agenda, it's a special meeting where members will discuss an environmental ordinance backed by Mayor Brandon Johnson and no votes will be taken. Richard Klawiter, a DLA Piper attorney representing Onni, outlined for committee members the benefits of giving the project a green light. In addition to the much-needed affordable housing, Onni would contribute about $26 million to city programs such as the Neighborhood Opportunity Fund, eventually pay tens of millions in property taxes, and create thousands of construction jobs. The company had agreed to the union's demand for a neutrality agreement but balked at providing contact information for employees, including names and addresses, and the Zoning Committee was not the place to settle the yearlong dispute, Klawiter said. 'This is not the National Labor Relations Board, but rather, the Committee on Zoning,' he said. A union spokesperson on Tuesday said SEIU Local 1 does not have a comment at this time. There was some confusion during the committee hearing. When Onni's proposal came up for discussion, Burnett was in the room behind council chambers speaking with Jason Lee, a senior adviser to Johnson. Council members typically defer to the local alderman when it comes to development decisions, a tradition known as 'aldermanic prerogative,' and several said they were reluctant to discuss the matter. 'I would recommend we hold this until we hear from the chairman,' said Ald. Anthony Beale, 9th. Burnett returned only after discussion on the development was paused, ran through the rest of the meeting's agenda, but then adjourned the meeting without recalling Onni's proposal. The Onni Group did not immediately return a message seeking comment. The 2022 zoning reform, known as the Connected Communities Ordinance, overhauled city zoning law. It allows developers proposing large amounts of affordable housing in high-cost areas such as River West another way to secure approvals if they hit political roadblocks. They need to hold a community meeting in the affected neighborhood, which Onni did in January, and send a letter to the Zoning Committee chair requesting a vote, starting the 60-day timetable. Sterling Bay is the only other developer to choose this route. It held a community meeting in January in Lincoln Park, and said it wanted to use Connected Communities to secure approval for its plan to construct 615 units in a pair of skyscrapers at 1840 N. Marcey St. near the CTA's Red Line. Local Ald. Scott Waguespack, 32nd, has said he opposes the project because many neighbors say it's out-of-scale with the surrounding neighborhood. Burnett was coy after the Zoning Committee meeting about whether he would support Onni next month, or whether enough council members would be willing to buck the unions. 'I don't know what the City Council is doing,' he said. 'The unions are lobbying everybody. So, people are conflicted. Everybody hopes they can work it out.'
Chicago Tribune
03-03-2025
- Politics
- Chicago Tribune
Ald. Desmon Yancy: Chicago demands more from you, Mayor Johnson
Mayor Brandon Johnson, like many Chicagoans, I was excited about your election. As a fellow organizer and a newly elected alderman, I had high hopes that your administration would mark the beginning of a new era in Chicago government — one in which all residents and stakeholders were heard, valued and brought together. I believed your victory signaled the start of a Chicago for all. You came into office with a strong ideological perspective, but early signs pointed to an inclusive administration — one that welcomed diverse viewpoints, even those that challenged your own. We hoped that your inexperience would be balanced by humility and a willingness to listen to those with deep experience in governance. Yet, as I look back over the past two years, your administration has been the opposite of what we hoped for. Dissenting voices are consistently shut down. Detractors are shut out. Advice is ignored. Instead of collaboration, we see ideological isolation. Instead of a 'Chicago for all,' we see a government that treats those who disagree as enemies. This is not what I voted for, worked for or can continue to support. Chicago under your leadership has become a cauldron of frustration. Multiple public polls reflect growing dissatisfaction, and the dysfunction is evident. Every mayor faces opposition from some bloc of aldermen, but the repeated close votes and tie-breaking votes you've cast are not signs of collaboration. They are signs of a government in disarray. Your own supporters — those who stood with you in difficult times — are not invited to shape policy but expected to fall in line behind half-baked proposals developed without meaningful input. Chicago is at a financial crossroads — not of your making, but one that requires sound leadership. Yet, if the recent budget process and the recent bond vote are any indication, your administration is adding to the financial burden future generations must bear. I can no longer support that. Mr. Mayor, Chicago needs a vision that embraces the concerns of all its citizens. Yes, we must prioritize the most vulnerable, but intellectually honest critique — no matter where it comes from — must be acknowledged. Truth is not the exclusive possession of those we agree with. We need a financial strategy that, as our esteemed Vice Mayor Walter Burnett put it, makes Chicago truly self-sufficient. We cannot continue spending recklessly while hoping for bailouts from afar. Instead, we must do the work of our own hands, building relationships as we lay the foundation for a more equitable and sustainable future. Look, I understand that this job is not easy. I also recognize that some of your challenges stem from America's original sin of racism, and Chicago has long been a test case in that regard. A glance at the rhetoric directed at you on social media makes that clear. As a 53-year-old Black man, I have experienced my share of racial bias. But not every critique from citizens, the media or aldermen is racially motivated. Some are, but not all. The concerns raised about the recent bond issue were valid, and the pushback was not about race. It was about accountability. In fact, it reflects an increasingly engaged and informed citizenry that demands more from its leadership. The people are demanding more. The City Council is demanding more. And as the elected representative of the 5th Ward, I am demanding more. Mr. Mayor, the moment is yours. There's so much at stake. In fact, the future of this great city and those who call it home are counting on you to be the leader you promised to be during your campaign.
