Remap results: A look at West Loop, Near West Side's now-dominant Ald. Walter Burnett

The Reader profiles the man who'll run the show for the foreseeable future

01/21/2012 11:00 AM

By Ben Meyerson
Editor

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One of the biggest winners in the wake of Chicago's new ward remap is Ald. Walter Burnett Jr. (27th), who gained a big chunk of turf covering most of the West Loop and the Near West Side.


Former Chicago Journal writer Mick Dumke, who once wrote a lengthy profile for us about Ald. Danny Solis (25th), takes a good look in this week's Reader at just how Burnett has managed to gain — and maintain — influence in the 27th Ward.

For his new constituents on the West Loop and the Near West Side, it should be a fascinating look at what to expect as you move forward with the mild-mannered alderman. Here's a look:

"... [T]he comment revealed even more about Burnett's mischievous sense of humor, shrewd understanding of how the city operates, and confidence about his own prospects based on years of loyalty to his patrons. In fact, anyone who really wants to understand how Chicago works should take a close look at Walter Burnett. Ward boundaries may shift around him, but he's virtually unmovable."

Click here to check out the full story at ChicagoReader.com.


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By Anon from Near West
Posted: 01/23/2012 3:45 PM

We are going from an Alderman who fought rightly against the machine, to one who is so far entrenched he can't see daylight. Great.....not. But then again, we might get help getting a grocery store. Come on dude, pony up some of those TIF funds you are so good at getting, for Pete's, or do you only care about what happens east of the United Center, because that's where you live? Time will tell.