Burn Resigns as Fourth Ward Alderman, Takes Job in Private Sector

Larissa M. Tyler | As of Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Will Burns has resigned as alderman of Chicago’s fourth ward.
Will Burns has resigned as alderman of Chicago’s fourth ward.

It looks like a special election is in the near future thanks to a vacancy left opened by Will Burns who resigned as alderman of Chicago’s fourth ward.

It came as a bit of surprise when Burns abruptly resigned over the weekend reportedly to take a job at AirBnB as a senior advisor and director of Midwest policy. The company is based in San Francisco, Ca. and is basically a website where people can list or rent temporary living accommodations around the world.

Burns replaced Toni Preckwinkle back in 2011 when she became Cook County Board president. He served as fourth ward alderman for five years. Prior to him serving in City Hall, he served two terms as an Illinois State Representative for the 26th district.

Mayor Rahm Emanuel said he was going to miss Burns’ presence in City Council perhaps because Burns, 42, was one of the mayor’s closest allies.

"I want to congratulate Will Burns on this new chapter in his life, but we will certainly miss him as a City Council member," Emanuel released in a Monday morning statement. "He has spent the last five years advocating for better public schools, attracting new business and improving economy in the Fourth Ward. He has also helped to increase transparency, efficiency, and accountability in city government. He can leave City Hall knowing he has helped to improve his community, and that he had a part in working to right Chicago's finances. I thank him for his time and commitment to public service, and wish him the best of luck."

Reportedly Burns’ fourth Ward delivered 8,006 votes or 58 percent of the black vote to Emanuel during last year’s April 7 runoff mayoral election.

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President Barack Obama (left) stopped by Will Burns (right) campaign office in Feb. 2015 to rally for Burns’ re-election as 4th Ward alderman.

President Barack Obama, a fourth ward resident, is also a close friend of Burns. He worked on several of Obama’s campaigns.

The president returned the favor and rallied for Burns during a re-election campaign event February 2015 where he spoke to Burns’ campaign workers saying, “It wasn’t that long ago when Will was doing what ya’ll are doing. He didn’t have a fancy suit and pinned stripes and our office was a little smaller than this and things were a little bit more raggedy and less organized. But when you see somebody who has worked with you as a young person and then come up doing great things as an alderman, we could not be prouder and I expect that he’s going to do fine in my ward because he’s my alderman…”

Well now, Burns is no longer the president’s alderman. He begins his new job on

March 1. It is unclear whether or not he will remain a resident of Chicago or if he will relocate.

In the meantime, the mayor must appoint someone to the open position until a special election is held in Feb. 2017.

The mayor has 60 days to name a replacement, and there will be an online application process, with a local committee to review those who seek the job. That panel will be led by 8th Ward Ald. Michelle Harris, chairman of the Rules Committee.

Burns attended the University of Chicago where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees.

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