# Walter R. Burnett

Walter R. Burnett is the alderperson for Chicago's 27th Ward.

## Contact

- Email: Ward27@cityofchicago.org
- Ward office: 4 North Western Avenue, Unit 1C, Chicago 60618, (312) 432-1995
- City Hall: 121 North LaSalle Street, Room 300, Office 38, (312) 744-6124/6125
- Website: http://aldermanburnett.com/
- Updates: [RSS feed of votes and legislation](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/api/feeds/ward/27.rss)

## Voting record this term

- Attendance: **94.9%** of 1139 key roll calls (58 absent)
- Nay votes: **7**
- Voted with the majority on **95.3%** of 86 divided votes
- Legislation filed as lead sponsor: **239** (212 passed)
- Most-filed topics: Signs/Signboards (141), Alley (44), Municipal Code Amendments (20), Streets (13), Parking (9)

## Committees

- [Aviation](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/aviation)
- [Budget and Government Operations](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/budget-and-government-operations)
- [Committees and Rules](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/committees-and-rules)
- [Contracting Oversight and Equity](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/contracting-oversight-and-equity)
- [Finance](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/finance)
- [Finance: Subcommittee on Revenue](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/finance-subcommittee-on-revenue)
- [Housing and Real Estate](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/housing-and-real-estate)
- [Pedestrian and Traffic Safety](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/pedestrian-and-traffic-safety)
- [Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/committee/zoning-landmarks-and-building-standards)

## AI profile

> AI-written synthesis from this member's votes, legislation, and words in 78 meetings. Each claim cites its source; estimates, not statements of intent.

Walter R. Burnett represents Chicago's 27th Ward and sits on ten council committees, including Aviation, Budget and Government Operations, and Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards. He has a 94.9% attendance record and has voted YES on the majority of measures, with only seven NO votes out of 238 items he has filed as alderperson  [V1](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/694AE95E-6680-F111-AB0E-001DD80F46AC)  [V6](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/F88B3304-ED22-F111-8341-001DD80C2AAC)  [L1](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/924ECDD2-16BC-F111-AAAE-001DD803894A). His legislative activity is heavily weighted toward redevelopment agreements and tax-increment-financing (TIF) projects, as shown by multiple TIF votes and filings in 2026  [V1](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/694AE95E-6680-F111-AB0E-001DD80F46AC)  [V3](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/B13303F7-636A-F111-A823-001DD8019941)  [V5](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/667F2498-5D6A-F111-A823-001DD8019941)  [V16](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/9A5E0AD3-3F0C-F111-8406-001DD81300D8)  [L1](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/924ECDD2-16BC-F111-AAAE-001DD803894A).

**Priorities**

- **Tax Increment Financing**: Consistently supports TIF agreements for development projects, voting YES on at least six TIF-related ordinances in 2026  [V1](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/694AE95E-6680-F111-AB0E-001DD80F46AC)  [V3](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/B13303F7-636A-F111-A823-001DD8019941)  [V5](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/667F2498-5D6A-F111-A823-001DD8019941)  [V16](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/9A5E0AD3-3F0C-F111-8406-001DD81300D8)  [V19](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/843A0148-3F0C-F111-8406-001DD81300D8)  [V20](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/CCED20DF-3F0C-F111-8406-001DD81300D8)
- **Zoning and Land Use**: Files and backs amendments to the municipal code for package-goods licenses, tow-away zones, and minimum lot area changes  [L1](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/924ECDD2-16BC-F111-AAAE-001DD803894A)  [L7](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/9ECC8B73-6BB7-F111-AAAC-001DD80B58E5)  [L6](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/905A1F21-70B7-F111-AAAC-001DD80B58E5)
- **Honorary Street Designations**: Regularly files honorary street designation proposals, including multiple designations in September 2026  [L3](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/3985E84E-16BC-F111-AAAE-001DD803894A)  [L4](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/5C54DAA2-16BC-F111-AAAE-001DD803894A)  [L30](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/564E0F2E-6454-F111-BEC5-001DD80EDC2D)
- **Housing Tenant Protections**: Supported amendments requiring landlords to provide written notice before terminating leases or filing evictions  [V14](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/39807FAB-299A-F011-B4CB-001DD802A35E)
- **Wage and Gratuity Regulations**: Backed amendments to municipal code that adjust employer allowance timelines for gratuities and hourly wage occupations  [V8](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/0A9BAABE-DA22-F111-8341-001DD80C2AAC)  [V23](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/0366E36E-5B36-F011-8C4D-001DD8309E73)
- **Public Safety Restrictions on Police**: Voted to prohibit Chicago Police Department members from participating in political activities  [V10](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/A834CCEB-EFEE-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9)

**Positions**

- **Tax Increment Financing**: Votes YES on TIF redevelopment agreements, indicating support for using TIF to fund development projects  [V1](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/694AE95E-6680-F111-AB0E-001DD80F46AC)  [V3](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/B13303F7-636A-F111-A823-001DD8019941)  [V5](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/667F2498-5D6A-F111-A823-001DD8019941)
- **Package-Goods Licenses**: Supports expanding package-goods licenses on commercial corridors, filing related code amendments  [L1](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/924ECDD2-16BC-F111-AAAE-001DD803894A)
- **Sweepstakes Machine Regulation**: Voted NO on a proposal to prohibit sweepstakes machines, opposing the restriction  [V6](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/F88B3304-ED22-F111-8341-001DD80C2AAC)
- **Social Media Amusement Tax**: Voted YES on adding a tax for social-media amusement, supporting the revenue measure  [V7](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/895717BD-4F54-F111-BEC6-001DD80B0E39)
- **Police Political Activity Ban**: Supported a code amendment banning police officers from political participation, voting YES  [V10](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/A834CCEB-EFEE-EF11-BE20-001DD83045C9)
- **Gas Station Permit Requirements**: Voted YES to remove permit requirements for gas stations in certain zoning districts, easing development constraints  [V26](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/08AD3F58-684C-F011-8779-001DD8069091)
- **Pedestrian Street Designation**: Supported designating a stretch of North Broadway as a pedestrian street, voting YES  [V33](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/5B5E4131-371A-F011-9989-001DD830951E)
- **Mass Gatherings Curfew**: Voted NO on a curfew ordinance for mass gatherings, indicating opposition to the restriction  [V38](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/DCB701D7-DD1A-F011-9989-001DD830A299)

**Approach**: Burnett frequently moves to advance redevelopment agreements and code amendments, offering to answer questions and urging colleagues to support projects (e.g., the Axiom partners redevelopment)  [S9](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/7C5833BC-5060-F111-BEC5-001DD80012DB?t=1835)  [S10](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/7C5833BC-5060-F111-BEC5-001DD80012DB?t=1887)  [S11](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/7C5833BC-5060-F111-BEC5-001DD80012DB?t=2088). He also makes procedural motions, such as accepting substitute ordinances and adjourning meetings, and regularly participates in committee discussions on zoning and workforce issues  [S12](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/4676B95A-2A55-F111-BEC6-001DD8033B18?t=5571)  [S13](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E5CB2C3F-3955-F111-BEC6-001DD8033B18?t=1860)  [S14](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/77DF81CD-3C59-F111-BEC5-001DD803F39A?t=11000)  [S15](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/ACA9D03D-364A-F111-88B4-001DD8033B18?t=1811)  [S16](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/ACA9D03D-364A-F111-88B4-001DD8033B18?t=1970)  [S18](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5E9E0EC9-F443-F111-88B4-001DD8033B18?t=5188).

**What to watch**: Given his extensive record of filing and voting on TIF and zoning measures, Burnett is likely to remain active on future redevelopment financing, land-use amendments, and related code changes  [V1](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/694AE95E-6680-F111-AB0E-001DD80F46AC)  [V3](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/B13303F7-636A-F111-A823-001DD8019941)  [L1](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/924ECDD2-16BC-F111-AAAE-001DD803894A)  [L7](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/9ECC8B73-6BB7-F111-AAAC-001DD80B58E5)


## Nay votes on key legislation

- Jun 17, 2026: [Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 4-156 by defining and prohibiting the installation or use of sweepstakes machines](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/F88B3304-ED22-F111-8341-001DD80C2AAC), Failed to Pass 15 yea, 33 nay, 1 absent
- Dec 20, 2025: [Amendment of Municipal Code Titles 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14A, 15, 17 regarding management, structure, powers and functions of various departments and agencies (2026 Municipal Code Management Ordinance)](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/0AD17603-C2C1-F011-BBD2-001DD80C033C), Passed 29 yea, 20 nay, 1 absent
- Dec 19, 2025: [Amendment of Municipal Code Titles 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14A, 14B, 14X and 15 (2026 Municipal Code Revenue Ordinance Alternative)](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/39036309-ECD5-F011-8543-001DD8018EAF), Passed 29 yea, 19 nay
- Jun 18, 2025: [Mass Gatherings and Curfew](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/DCB701D7-DD1A-F011-9989-001DD830A299), Passed 27 yea, 22 nay
- Mar 12, 2025: [Amendment of Municipal Code Title 4 by adding new Chapter 4-401 entitled "Trade In Fur Products"](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/E220093A-5926-EE11-9965-001DD804E9A5), Failed to Pass 19 yea, 26 nay
- Feb 19, 2025: [Amendment of Municipal Code Section 9-12-070 establishing maximum speed limit of 25 miles per hour on streets, 15 miles per hour in alleys, and absolute statutory nonurban limit of 55 miles per hour](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/B6B7F7E8-5644-EF11-8409-001DD8306DF0), Failed to Pass 21 yea, 28 nay
- Feb 15, 2024: [Adoption of arbitration option in certain police disciplinary cases](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/14B7D528-D3BA-EE11-A568-001DD806999B), Failed to Pass 18 yea, 32 nay

## Key legislation sponsored

- [Dedication of public way in area bounded by W Grand Ave, N Halsted St, W Chicago Ave, and North Branch of Chicago River as substituted](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/4BFA2BDE-656A-F111-A823-001DD80F48AE) (SO2026-0026284), Passed Jul 15, 2026
- [Amendment of Municipal Code Section 17-6-0403-F to permit by right residential storage warehouses in Planned Manufacturing District 4B](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/1F927134-646A-F111-A823-001DD80F48AE) (SO2026-0026276), Passed Jul 15, 2026
- [Amendment of Municipal Code Section 17-6-0403 to establish size restrictions for participant sports and recreation use as permitted by right in planned manufacturing districts](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/CFBE80A7-646A-F111-A823-001DD80F48AE) (O2026-0026278), Passed Jul 15, 2026
- [Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-023 (1.96) to allow additional package goods licenses on portions of W Chicago Ave](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/FAF80953-6854-F111-BEC5-001DD80EDC2D) (O2026-0025439), Passed Jun 17, 2026
- [Amendment of Municipal Code Chapter 6-105 modifying timelines for employer allowance minimums in hourly wage occupations receiving gratuities](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/0A9BAABE-DA22-F111-8341-001DD80C2AAC) (SO2026-0024043), Passed May 20, 2026
- [Amendment of Municipal Code Sections 17-3-0308 and 17-4-0301 regarding new construction Minimum Automotive Parking Ratios near Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) or METRA rail stations](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/DDE1B3AB-ECD5-F011-8543-001DD8018EAF) (SO2025-0021721), Passed Feb 18, 2026
- [Amendment of Municipal Code Section 4-60-022 (27.375) to allow additional alcoholic liquor licenses on portion(s) of S Morgan St](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/matter/E4E10270-72C9-F011-BBD2-001DD80144DD) (O2025-0021326), Passed Jan 21, 2026

## In their own words

> Moments from meeting recordings, summarized by AI from the transcript. Each links to the video at that point.

- Sep 29, 2026, City Council: Supported the deal, saying it began as a civil rights concern about Stonepeak's affiliate and secured upfront pension money and future revenue sharing. ([watch at 1:46:20](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E9154AB7-96B7-F111-AAAC-001DD803894A?t=6380))
- Sep 23, 2026, City Council: Thanked Corporation Counsel Lowry for guidance on the parking meter deal and settlements. ([watch at 3:22:27](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/5F86622E-F485-F111-AB0E-001DD80ED7AA?t=12147))
- Jul 22, 2026, City Council: Cautioned that withholding funds from sister agencies could delay TIF-funded infrastructure, citing expiring TIF funds in his ward. ([watch at 1:38:06](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/AA0648B8-8A80-F111-AB0E-001DD80216AA?t=5886))
- Jul 15, 2026, City Council: Recognized 27th Ward, 10th District and City Clerk interns. ([watch at 1:25:41](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/DF5C52EA-0D6B-F111-A823-001DD8019941?t=5141))
- Jul 8, 2026, Committee on Housing and Real Estate: Responded to questions after the Hearts United presentation. ([watch at 1:20:29](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E375BA07-406F-F111-AB0C-001DD80F88E2?t=4829))
- Jul 8, 2026, Committee on License and Consumer Protection: Moved to pass Item 4 after his presentation. ([watch at 9:48](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/18D62577-4F6E-F111-AB0C-001DD80F88E2?t=588))
- Jul 8, 2026, Committee on License and Consumer Protection: Presented Item 4, advocating for the expansion of a known businessman’s operations in the 15th Ward’s Back of the Yards area. ([watch at 9:00](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/18D62577-4F6E-F111-AB0C-001DD80F88E2?t=540))
- Jun 16, 2026, Committee on Zoning, Landmarks and Building Standards: Introduced two zoning applications for the 7th Ward. ([watch at 2:08:39](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/E677DA7E-4F55-F111-BEC6-001DD80B0E39?t=7719))
- Jun 15, 2026, Committee on Budget and Government Operations: Moved to pass the redevelopment agreement. ([watch at 34:48](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/7C5833BC-5060-F111-BEC5-001DD80012DB?t=2088))
- Jun 15, 2026, Committee on Budget and Government Operations: Asked colleagues to support the project and offered to answer questions. ([watch at 31:27](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/7C5833BC-5060-F111-BEC5-001DD80012DB?t=1887))
- Jun 15, 2026, Committee on Budget and Government Operations: Stated that the Axiom partners have been good partners and highlighted the need for creative-economy space in East Garfield. ([watch at 30:35](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/7C5833BC-5060-F111-BEC5-001DD80012DB?t=1835))
- Jun 9, 2026, Committee on Pedestrian and Traffic Safety: Moved to accept substitute ordinances for items 10-12 and item 2. ([watch at 1:32:51](https://www.chicagopolitics.org/meeting/4676B95A-2A55-F111-BEC6-001DD8033B18?t=5571))

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Source: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/ward/27 · Chicago Politics, an independent, nonpartisan tracker of the Chicago City Council. Guide for agents: https://www.chicagopolitics.org/llms.txt