Walter Burnett Jr., Candidate for 27th Ward Alderman

Candidate Full Name: Walter Burnett Jr.

Office: 27st Ward Alderman

Survey Questions (Character limit of 2,000 per response)

1. What is the most important issue that you will address in your ward?

I want to focus on increasing economic development, continuing to develop diverse housing, and improving our schools.

The best way to address all three projects is by attracting more people to the ward. I want to do that by continuing to improve schools in our neighborhoods. Better schools attracts more families, which will expand economic development.

I will continue to use TIF funds to further assist with economic development in the ward. This helped bring Mariano's to the West Loop and the ward's new YMCA.

In term of housing, I have always been a strong advocate of affordable housing and assisted with other residential developments. This is a priority I will continue.

2. What are your plans for helping fight crime in your ward?

I have and will continue to maintain a productive relationship with the CPD administration. I speak with the local commanders in my areas daily and we work together to address crime and violence in the 27th Ward.

Operation Impact & VRI are a couple of projects CPD and myself have worked on to address crime in the 27th Ward. These projects have targeted a few high crime areas in the ward and increased the police presence in those areas. We have more beat cops out walking the blocks or riding around in their cars in the most needed areas.

Obviously we need to hire more cops, but paying for them is not currently feasible. For the time being, I suggest that we utilize police more effectively and improve community policing. I am dedicated to making sure that my constituents and local beat officers have a better working relationship.

3. What, if any, city assets would you consider privatizing to raise money?

I introduced an ordinance to put a moratorium on privatizing any more city assets for the time being.

4. Do you support or oppose the vote to increase the minimum wage in several steps to $13 an hour by 2019?

Most definitely, I was on the mayor's Minimum Wage Working Group and voted for the measure. This increase would help a number of 27th Ward residents that work full time jobs but unfortunately still live in poverty.

5. Are you in favor of Chicago's Red Light Camera program?

It depends on the location of the camera and whether or not it will help improve public safety. Above all, I am huge proponent of being fair. I don't want people running red lights, endangering other drivers and pedestrians, but I also want to be fair.