Meet The 7 Candidates Vying To Replace Ald. Walter Burnett In The 27th Ward

Seven candidates are vying to fill the vacancy left by Ald. Walter Burnett Jr. , who resigned in July after 30 years of service. The 27th Ward, which encompasses the West Loop, Cabrini Green, and parts of Humboldt Park, has seen significant growth in recent years. To qualify, candidates must have lived in the ward for at least a year and be registered to vote there.

The selection committee will review applications and conduct interviews before recommending a candidate to the Mayor, who requires City Council confirmation for the appointment. Of the ten applicants, three submitted incomplete applications and will not be considered. Burnett Jr. is also in the running for a leadership role at the Chicago Housing Authority, although his appointment is delayed by federal regulations. Among the candidates is Cynthia D.

Grunst-Bednarz, a licensed real estate broker who previously ran against Burnett. Walter Redmond Burnett, his son, also seeks the position, bringing experience from Goldman Sachs and community-focused initiatives.