Hyde Park Alderman Resigns To Work For Airbnb
By aaroncynic in News on Feb 1, 2016 7:25PM
Via Wikipedia
Burns, a staunch ally of Mayor Rahm Emanuel, defeated two opponents in the February 2015 election, taking 55.59 percent of the vote. Burns has served the 4th Ward, made up of Bronzeville, Kenwood and Hyde Park, since he replaced Toni Preckwinkle when she became Cook County Board president in 2011. In a statement to NBC5, Mayor Rahm Emanuel congratulated Burns and said he would “miss him,” adding:
"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.”
While the alderman has yet to make any public statements, some speculate that he was not pleased with the position. An anonymous “City Hall colleague” told the Sun-Times:
“He hated the job. He just didn’t like being alderman. He always thought he was too smart and too good to be alderman.”
The mayor has 60 days to replace Burns, and has vowed the selection process would be “open and transparent.” “Any resident of the ward will be able to apply, and a commission of local leaders will help determine the finalists,” Emanuel said.