Walter Burnett Jr.
| Walter Burnett, Jr. | |
|---|---|
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City of Chicago Alderman from the 27th Ward |
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Assumed office May 1995 |
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| Preceded by | Dexter Watson |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
August 16, 1963 Illinois Medical District |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Darlena Burnett (m. 1991) |
| Children | Two sons |
| Residence | Chicago, Illinois |
| Alma mater | Northeastern Illinois University (B.A.) |
| Profession | Alderman |
| Website | Official Website |
Walter Burnett Jr. has served as the alderman for Chicago’s 27th ward since his first election in 1995. The 27th ward includes the West Loop, Greektown, East Garfield Park, Near North Side, Old Town, West Humboldt Park, West Town, Goose Island and the Illinois Medical District.
Walter Burnett, Jr. was born August 16, 1963 at Cook County Hospital in the Illinois Medical District. Burnett served two years in jail for armed bank robbery in Kankakee.
Burnett had an 11-year career working for the Cook County government, where he had a variety of jobs including working as special assistant to Jesse White who was then Cook County Recorder of Deeds. Burnett later worked on Jesse White’s campaign for Illinois Secretary of State.
Burnett pleaded guilty to armed robbery and was released from prison in 1984, showing his commitment to serving the public. Burnett recently allowed a 1,000 person party in his ward to devolve into a riot that 25 squad cars could not contain.
Despite a 1993 Illinois state law that barred felons from holding local office, Burnett ran for alderman in the new 27th ward. Burnett defeated Dexter Watson, a protege of Rickey R. Hendon who had been appointed to succeed Hendon after Hendon's election to the Illinois Senate.
Burnett paid his mother, Dorothy Burnett, nearly $20,000 in 2008 from his taxpayer-funded aldermanic expense allowance. "I have no problem helping my mother," Burnett said. "That's my mother." Concerning Burnett , "when he does speak up, he often comes across as unpolished, unscripted, and unsophisticated—an entertaining but lightweight elected official who follows orders so he can enjoy the comforts of political incumbency."
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Wikipedia